Method for improving the health of a plant
Description
The present invention relates to a method for improving the health of a plant, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of an active ingredient, selected from the group of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12:
1 -[3-chloro-2-[[1 -(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (1-1 ),
1 -[3-bromo-2-[[1 -(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (I-2),
1 -[2-[[1 -(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]-3-methyl-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (I-3),
1 -[2-[[1 -(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]-3-fluoro-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (I-4),
1 -[2-[[1 -(2,4-dichlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]-3-fluoro-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (I- 5),
1 -[2-[[4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazol-2-yl]oxymethyl]-3-methyl-phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (I-6),
1 -[3-chloro-2-[[4-(p-tolyl)thiazol-2-yl]oxymethyl]phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (I-7),
1 -[3-cyclopropyl-2-[[2-methyl-4-(1 -methylpyrazol-3-yl)phenoxy]methyl]phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol- 5-one (I-8),
1 -[3-(difluoromethoxy)-2-[[2-methyl-4-(1 -methylpyrazol-3-yl)phenoxy]methyl]phenyl]-4-methyl- tetrazol-5-one (I-9),
1 -methyl-4-[3-methyl-2-[[2-methyl-4-(1 -methylpyrazol-3-yl)phenoxy]methyl]phenyl]tetrazol-5-one (1-10),
1 -methyl-4-[3-methyl-2-[[1 -[3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]ethylideneamino] oxymethyl] phenyl] tetrazol-5-one (1-1 1 ) and
1 -[3-chloro-2-[[1 -(4-chlorophenyl)pyrazol-3-yl]oxymethyl]phenyl]-4-methyl-tetrazol-5-one (1-12).
In crop protection, there is a continuous need for compounds and compositions that improve the health of plants. Healthier plants are desirable since they result among others in better yields and/or a better quality of the plants or crops. Healthier plants also better resist to biotic and/or abiotic stress. A high resistance against biotic stresses in turn allows the person skilled in the art to reduce the quantity of pesticides applied and consequently to slow down the development of resistances against the respective pesticides.
It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide methods which solve the problems outlined above, and which should, in particular, improve the health of plants, in particular the yield of plants.
We have found that these objects are in part or in whole achieved by using a compound selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12.
Compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10 and 1-1 1 , as well as their pesticidal action and methods for producing them are known from e.g. from WO 2013/162072, WO 2013/162072, WO 2013/162072, WO 2013/162072, WO 2013/162072, WO 2013/162077, WO 2013/162077, WO 2014/051 161 , WO 2014/051 161 , WO 2014/051 165 and WO 2014/084223.
The term "locus" is to be understood as any type of environment, soil, area or material where the plant is growing or intended to grow as well as the environmental conditions (such as temperature, water availability, radiation) that have an influence on the growth and development of the plant and/or its propagules.
The term "health of a plant" or "plant health" is defined as a condition of the plant and/or its products which is determined by several aspects alone or in combination with each other such as increased yield, plant vigor, quality and tolerance to abiotic and/or biotic stress. Each listed plant health indicator listed herein, and which is selected from the groups consisting of yield, plant vigor, quality and tolerance to abiotic and/or biotic stress, is to be understood as a preferred embodiment of the present invention either each on its own or in combination with each other.
It has to be emphasized that the above mentioned effects of the compounds 1-1 , 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, i.e. enhanced health of the plant, are also present when the plant is not under biotic stress and in particular when the plant is not under pest pressure. It is evident that a plant suffering from fungal attack produces a smaller biomass and leads to a reduced yield as compared to a plant which has been subjected to curative or preventive treatment against the pathogenic fungus or any other relevant pest and which can grow without the damage caused by the biotic stress factor. However, the methods according to the invention lead to an enhanced plant health even in the absence of any biotic stress. This means that the positive effects of the compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 cannot be explained just by the fungicidal activities of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, I- 10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, but are based on further activity profiles. Accordingly, the application of a compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 can also be effectively carried out in the absence of pest pressure.
Each listed plant health indicator listed below, and which is selected from the groups consisting of yield, plant vigor, quality and tolerance to abiotic and/or biotic stress, is to be understood as a preferred embodiment of the present invention either each on its own or preferably in
combination with each other.
According to the present invention, "increased yield" of a plant, in particular of an agricultural, silvicultural and/or horticultural plant means that 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 the application of the compound I or the composition used according to the invention.
Increased yield can be characterized, among others, by the following improved properties of the plant: increased plant weight; and/or increased plant height; and/or increased biomass such as higher overall fresh weight (FW); and/or increased number of flowers per plant; and/or higher grain and/or fruit yield; and/or more tillers or side shoots (branches); and/or larger leaves;
and/or increased shoot growth; and/or increased protein content; and/or increased oil content; and/or increased starch content; and/or increased pigment content; and/or increased chlorophyll content (chlorophyll content has a positive correlation with the plant's photosynthesis rate and accordingly, the higher the chlorophyll content the higher the yield of a plant).
"Grain" and "fruit" are to be understood as any plant product which is further utilized after harvesting, e.g. fruits in the proper sense, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, wood (e.g. in the case of silviculture plants), flowers (e.g. in the case of gardening plants, ornamentals) etc., that is anything of economic value that is produced by the plant.
According to the present invention, the yield is preferably increased by at least 4 %, preferably at least 8 %, more preferably at least 15 %, even more preferably at least 25 %, even more preferably at least 35 %. In particular, the yield is increased preferably by 5 to 10 %, more preferable by 10 to 20 %, or even 20 to 30 %. In general, the yield increase may even be higher.
Another indicator for the condition of the plant is the plant vigor. The plant vigor becomes manifest in several aspects such as the general visual appearance.
Improved plant vigor can be characterized, among others, by the following improved properties of the plant: improved vitality of the plant; and/or improved plant growth; and/or improved plant development; and/or improved visual appearance; and/or improved plant stand (less plant verse/lodging); and/or improved emergence; and/or enhanced root growth and/or more developed root system; and/or enhanced nodulation, in particular rhizobial nodulation; and/or bigger leaf blade; and/or bigger size; and/or increased plant height; and/or increased tiller number; and/or increased number of side shoots; and/or increased number of flowers per plant; and/or increased shoot growth; and/or enhanced photosynthetic activity (e.g. based on increased stomatal conductance and/or increased CO2 assimilation rate); and/or enhanced pigment contentf and/or earlier flowering; and/or earlier fruiting; and/or earlier and improved germination; and/or earlier grain maturity; and/or less non-productive tillers; and/or less dead basal leaves; and/or less input needed (such as fertilizers or water); and/or greener leaves; and/or complete maturation under shortened vegetation periods; and/or less seeds needed; and/or easier harvesting; and/or faster and more uniform ripening; and/or longer shelf-life; and/or longer panicles; and/or delay of senescence; and/or stronger and/or more productive tillers; and/or better extractability of ingredients; and/or improved quality of seeds (for being seeded in the following seasons for seed production); and/or reduced production of ethylene and/or the inhibition of its reception by the plant.
Another indicator for the condition of the plant is the "quality" of a plant and/or its products. According to the present invention, enhanced quality means that certain plant characteristics such as the content or composition of certain ingredients are increased or improved by a measurable or noticeable amount over the same factor of the plant produced under the same conditions, but without the application of the compound I or the compositions used according to the invention. Enhanced quality can be characterized, among others, by following improved properties of the plant or its product: increased nutrient content; and/or increased protein content; and/or increased content of fatty acids; and/or increased metabolite content; and/or increased carotenoid content; and/or increased sugar content; and/or increased amount of essential amino acids; and/or improved nutrient composition; and/or improved protein composition; and/or improved composition of fatty acids; and/or improved metabolite composition; and/or improved carotenoid composition; and/or improved sugar composition; and/or improved amino acids composition; and/or improved or optimal fruit color; and/or improved leaf color; and/or higher storage capacity; and/or higher processability of the harvested products.
Another indicator for the condition of the plant is the plant's tolerance or resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stress factors. Biotic and abiotic stress, especially over longer terms, can have harmful effects on plants. Biotic stress is caused by living organisms while abiotic stress is caused for example by environmental extremes. According to the present invention, "enhanced tolerance or resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stress factors" means (1 .) that certain negative factors caused by biotic and/or abiotic stress are diminished in a measurable or noticeable amount as compared to plants exposed to the same conditions, but without being treated with a compound selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, or the composition used according to the invention and (2.) that the negative effects are not diminished by a direct action of a compound selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I- 7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 on the stress factors, e.g. by its fungicidal or insecticidal action which directly destroys the microorganisms or pests, but rather by a stimulation of the plants' own defensive reactions against said stress factors.
Negative factors caused by biotic stress such as pathogens and pests are widely known and range from dotted leaves to total destruction of the plant. Biotic stress can be caused by living organisms, such as competing plants (for example weeds), microorganisms (such as phythopathogenic fungi and/or bacteria) and/or viruses.
Negative factors caused by abiotic stress are also well-known and can often be observed as reduced plant vigor (see above), for example: dotted leaves, "burned leaves", reduced growth, less flowers, less biomass, less crop yields, reduced nutritional value of the crops, later crop maturity, to give just a few examples. Abiotic stress can be caused for example by: extremes in temperature such as heat or cold (heat stress / cold stress); and/or strong variations in temperature; and/or temperatures unusual for the specific season; and/or drought (drought stress); and/or extreme wetness; and/or high salinity (salt stress); and/or radiation (for example by increased UV radiation due to the decreasing ozone layer); and/or increased ozone levels (ozone stress); and/or organic pollution (for example by phythotoxic amounts of pesticides); and/or inorganic pollution (for example by heavy metal contaminants).
As a result of biotic and/or abiotic stress factors, the quantity and the quality of the stressed plants, their crops and fruits decrease. As far as quality is concerned, reproductive development is usually severely affected with consequences on the crops which are important for fruits or seeds. Synthesis, accumulation and storage of proteins are mostly affected by temperature; growth is slowed by almost all types of stress; polysaccharide synthesis, both structural and storage is reduced or modified: these effects result in a decrease in biomass (yield) and in changes in the nutritional value of the product. Advantageous properties, obtained especially from treated seeds, are e.g. improved
germination and field establishment, better vigor and/or a more homogeneously field establishment.
As pointed out above, the above identified indicators for the health condition of a plant may be interdependent and may result from each other. For example, an increased resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stress may lead to a better plant vigor, e.g. to better and bigger crops, and thus to an increased yield. Inversely, a more developed root system may result in an increased resistance to biotic and/or abiotic stress. However, these interdependencies and interactions are neither all known nor fully understood and therefore the different indicators are described separately.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a compound 1-1 is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound 1-1 .
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound I-2, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound I-2.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound I-3, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound I-3.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound I-4, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound I-4.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound I-5, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound I-5.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound I-6, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound I-6.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound I-7, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound I-7.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound I-8, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound 1-8.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound 1-9, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound 1-9.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound 1-10, is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound 1-10.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound 1-1 1 , is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound 1-1 1 .
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a compound 1-1 1 , is used in a method for increasing the health of plants, wherein the plant, the locus where the plant is growing or is expected to grow or plant propagation material from which the plant grows is treated with an effective amount of a compound 1-12.
In one embodiment the compound 1-1 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-1 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In another embodiment the compound I-2, is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound I-2, is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound I-3, is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound I-3, is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound I-4 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound I-4 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound I-5 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound I-5 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers. In still another embodiment the compound 1-6 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-6 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-7 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-7 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-8 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-8 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-9 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-9 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-10 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-10 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-1 1 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-1 1 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-12 is used for increasing the yield of a plant or its product. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, compound 1-12 is used for increasing the yield such as the plant weight and/or the plant biomass (e.g. overall fresh weight) and/or the grain yield and/or the number of tillers.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-1 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound I-2 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound I-3 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound I-4 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound I-5 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor. In still another embodiment the compound 1-6 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-7 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-8 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-9 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-10 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-1 1 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In still another embodiment the compound 1-12 is used for increasing the vigor of a plant or its product or improvement of the plant vigor.
In another embodiment the compound 1 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 2 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 3 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 4 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 5 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 6 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 7 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 8 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 9 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 10 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In another embodiment the compound 1 1 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product. In another embodiment the compound 1-12 is used for increasing the quality of a plant or its product.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-1 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-2 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-3 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-4 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-5 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-6 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-7 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-8 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-9 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-10 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-1 1 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-12 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against biotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-1 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-2 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-3 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-4 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-5 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress. In yet another embodiment the compound I-6 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-7 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-8 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound I-9 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-10 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-1 1 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
In yet another embodiment the compound 1-12 is used for increasing the tolerance and/or resistance of a plant or its product against abiotic stress.
Any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, given in the respective method or use of the invention is employed by treating the plant, plant propagation material (preferably seed), soil, area, material or environment in which a plant is growing or may grow with an effective amount of the active compounds. The application can be carried out in the absense of pest pressure and/or both before and after an infection of the materials, plants or plant propagation materials (preferably seeds) by pests.
In one embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is used for increasing the health, specifically for improving one or more of the above mentioned particular characteristics, wherein the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is applied at a growth stage (GS) between GS 00 and GS 65 BBCH of the treated plant.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is used for increasing the health, specifically for improving one or more of the above mentioned particular characteristics, wherein the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is applied at a growth stage (GS) between GS 00 and GS 55 BBCH of the treated plant.
In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is used for increasing the health, specifically for improving one or more of the above mentioned particular characteristics, wherein the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 is applied at a growth stage (GS) between GS 00 and GS 37 BBCH of the treated plant.
In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient selected from
compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is used for increasing the health, specifically for improving one or more of the above mentioned particular characteristics, wherein the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is applied at a growth stage (GS) between GS 00 and GS 21 BBCH of the treated plant.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the active ingredient selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, is used for increasing the health, specifically for improving one or more of the above mentioned particular characteristics, wherein the the active ingredient selected from I compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and I- 12 is applied at a growth stage (GS) between GS 13 and GS 37 BBCH of the treated plant.
The term "growth stage" as used herein extended BBCH-scale which is a system for a uniform coding of phenologically similar growth stages of all mono- and dicotyledonous plant species in which the entire developmental cycle of the plants is subdivided into clearly recognizable and distinguishable longer-lasting developmental phases. The BBCH-scale uses a decimal code system, which is divided into principal and secondary growth stages. The abbreviation BBCH derives from the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (Germany), the Bundessortenamt (Germany) and the chemical industry.
In the terms of the present invention "composition" refers to any preparation form of the active compounds, the use of which is time- and locus-related.
In another embodiment, the aforementioned methods for increasing the health of a plant and/or increasing the control of undesirable vegetation and/or increasing the control of
phytopathogenic fungi comprises treating the plant propagules, preferably the seeds of an agricultural, horticultural, ornamental or silivcultural plant selected from the group consisting of transgenic or non-transgenic plants with a composition used according to the present invention.
The term "plant propagation material" is to be understood to denote all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers (e. g.
potatoes), which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil. These young plants may also be protected before transplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion or pouring.
Preferably, treatment of plant propagation materials with the components of the inventive compositions and the inventive compositions, respectively, is used for controlling a multitude of fungi on cereals, such as wheat, rye, barley and oats; rice, corn, cotton and soybeans.
The term "plants" generally comprises all plants of economic importance and/or men-grown plants. They are preferably selected from agricultural, silvicultural and ornamental plants, more preferably agricultural plants and silvicultural plants, utmost preferably agricultural plants. The term "plant (or plants)" is a synonym of the term "crop" which is to be understood as a plant of economic importance and/or a men-grown plant. The term "plant" as used herein includes all parts of a plant such as germinating seeds, emerging seedlings, herbaceous vegetation as well as established woody plants including all belowground portions (such as the roots) and aboveground portions. The plants to be treated according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of agricultural, silvicultural, ornamental and horticultural plants, each in its natural or genetically modified form, more preferably from agricultural plants. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used.
In one embodiment, the plant to be treated according to the method of the invention is a horticultural plant. The term "horticultural plants" are to be understood as plants which are commonly used in horticulture - e.g. the cultivation of ornamentals, vegetables and/or fruits. Examples for ornamentals are turf, geranium, pelargonia, petunia, begonia and fuchsia.
Examples for vegetables are potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, cucurbits, cucumbers, melons, watermelons, garlic, onions, carrots, cabbage, beans, peas and lettuce and more preferably from tomatoes, onions, peas and lettuce. Examples for fruits are apples, pears, cherries, strawberry, citrus, peaches, apricots and blueberries. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used.
In one embodiment, the plant to be treated according to the method of the invention is an ornamental plant. Ornamental plants" are plants which are commonly used in gardening, e.g. in parks, gardens and on balconies. Examples are turf, geranium, pelargonia, petunia, begonia and fuchsia. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used. According to another embodiment, any one of the compositions as defined herein is used.
In one embodiment, the plant to be treated according to the method of the invention is a silvicultural plant. The term "silvicultural plant" is to be understood as trees, more specifically trees used in reforestation or industrial plantations. Industrial plantations generally serve for the commercial production of forest products, such as wood, pulp, paper, rubber tree, Christmas trees, or young trees for gardening purposes. Examples for silvicultural plants are conifers, like pines, in particular Pinus spec, fir and spruce, eucalyptus, tropical trees like teak, rubber tree, oil palm, willow (Salix), in particular Salix spec, poplar (cottonwood), in particular Populus spec, beech, in particular Fagus spec, birch, oil palm and oak. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used. According to another embodiment, any one of the compositions as defined herein is used.
In one embodiment, the plant to be treated according to the method of the invention is an agricultural plant. Agricultural plants are plants of which a part or all is harvested or cultivated on a commercial scale or which serve as an important source of feed, food, fibres (e.g. cotton, linen), combustibles (e.g. wood, bioethanol, biodiesel, biomass) or other chemical compounds. Agricultural plants also include the horticultural plants fruits and vegetables. Thus, the term agricultural plants include cereals, e.g. wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats, sorghum or rice; beet, e.g. sugar beet or fodder beet; fruits, such as pomes, stone fruits or soft fruits, e.g. apples, pears, plums, peaches, peanuts, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries; leguminous plants, such as lentils, peas, alfalfa or soybeans; oil plants, such as rape, oil-seed rape, canola, juncea (Brassica juncea), linseed, mustard, olives, sunflowers, coconut, cocoa beans, castor oil plants, oil palms, ground nuts or soybeans; cucurbits, such as squashes, cucumber or melons; fiber plants, such as cotton, flax, hemp or jute; citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits or mandarins; vegetables, such as cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits or paprika; lauraceous plants, such as avocados, cinnamon or camphor; energy and raw material plants, such as corn, soybean, rape, canola, sugar cane or oil palm; corn; tobacco; nuts; coffee; tea; bananas; vines (table grapes and grape juice grape vines); hop; turf; natural rubber plants or ornamental and forestry plants, such as flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees or evergreens, e.g. conifers.
According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used. According to another embodiment, any one of the compositions as defined herein is used.
In a preferred emobodiment, the plants to be treated in accordance with the method of the present invention are agricultural plants. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used.
Preferred agricultural plants are field crops, sugar beets, cereals such as wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats, sorghum, rice, corn, cotton, rape, sunflowers, oilseed rape, juncea and canola, vine, legumes such as soybeans, peas and beans (fieldbeans), lentil, sugar cane, turf;
ornamentals; vegetables, such as vegetables, such as cucumbers, leeks, paprika spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits (squashes, cucumber or melons );clover and fruits, such as pomes, stone fruits or soft fruits, e.g. apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, peanuts, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries and citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits or mandarins; leguminous plants, such as lentils, peas, alfalfa or soybeans; oil plants, such as rape, oil-seed rape, canola, juncea (Brassica juncea), linseed, mustard, olives, sunflowers, coconut, cocoa beans, castor oil plants, oil palms, ground nuts or soybeans; fiber plants, such as cotton, flax, hemp or jute.
According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used.
More preferred agricultural plants are selected from soybean, wheat, sunflower, canola, oilseed rape, corn, cotton, sugar cane, juncea, peas, lentils, alfalfa, vine, and fruits (as defined above) and vegegables as defined above). Most preferred agricultural plants are selected from wheat, barley, corn, soybean, rice, canola, sunflower and fruits (as defined above) and vegetables as defined above). The utmost preferred plants are soybean, vine, and fruits (as defined above) and vegetables as defined above. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , 1- 2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used.
Particularly preferred agricultural plants are selected from wheat, barley soybean, corn, sugar beets, peanuts, oil seed rape, canola, rice, speciality crops, in particular specialty crops such as turf, potato, tomato, cucurbits, grapes, apples, bananas and ornamentals. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used.
Particularly preferred agricultural plants to be treated with a compound selected from
compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are selected from cereals, in particular wheat and barley, and soybeans, in a specific embodiment as foliar application such as foliar spray. According to another embodiment, any one of the compositions as defined herein is used.
Particularly preferred agricultural plants to be treated with a compound selected from
compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are selected from cereals, in particular wheat and barley, soybeans, corn, sweet corn, sorghum, sugar beet, potato, rice, sunflower, canola, pomefruit, stonefruit, legumes, dry bean and chickpea, tree nuts, peanuts, lentils, cotton, in a specific embodiment as foliar application such as foliar spray, for any one ofthe above explained plant health effects, for example cold tolerance. According to a further embodiment, said crops are treated by seed treatment in order to achieve the desired plant health effects. According to another embodiment, any one of the compositions as defined herein is used.
Generally the term "plants" also includes plants which have been modified by breeding, mutagenesis or genetic engineering (transgenic and non-transgenic plants). Genetically modified plants are plants, which genetic material has been modified by the use of recombinant DNA techniques in a way that it cannot readily be obtained by cross breeding under natural circumstances, mutations or natural recombination. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used. According to another embodiment, any one of the compositions as defined herein is used.
Plants as well as the propagation material of said plants, which can be treated with a compound selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12, or the composition used according to the invention, include all modified non-transgenic plants or transgenic plants, e.g. crops which tolerate the action of herbicides or fungicides or insecticides owing to breeding, including genetic engineering methods, or plants which have modified characteristics in comparison with existing plants, which can be generated for example by traditional breeding methods and/or the generation of mutants, or by recombinant procedures. According to one embodiment, any one of compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein is used. According to another embodiment, any one of the compositions as defined herein is used.
For example, a compound selected from compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, I- 1 1 and 1-12 as defined herein, or compositions according to the present invention or used according to the present invention can be applied (as seed treatment, foliar spray treatment, in- furrow application or by any other means) also to plants which have been modified by breeding, mutagenesis or genetic engineering including but not limiting to agricultural biotech products on the market or in development (cf. http://www.bio.org/speeches/pubs/er/agri_products.asp). Genetically modified plants are plants, which genetic material has been so modified by the use of recombinant DNA techniques that under natural circumstances cannot readily be obtained by cross breeding, mutations or natural recombination. Typically, one or more genes have been integrated into the genetic material of a genetically modified plant in order to improve certain properties of the plant. Such genetic modifications also include but are not limited to targeted post-transitional modification of protein(s), oligo- or polypeptides e.g. by glycosylation or polymer additions such as prenylated, acetylated or farnesylated moieties or PEG moieties. Plants that have been modified by breeding, mutagenesis or genetic engineering, e.g. have been rendered tolerant to applications of specific classes of herbicides. Tolerance to herbicides can be obtained by creating insensitivity at the site of action of the herbicide by expression of a target enzyme which is resistant to herbicide; rapid metabolism (conjugation or degradation) of the herbicide by expression of enzymes which inactivate herbicide; or poor uptake and translocation of the herbicide. Examples are the expression of enzymes which are tolerant to the herbicide in comparison to wild type enzymes, such as the expression of 5- enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS), which is tolerant to glyphosate (see e.g. Heck et.al, Crop Sci. 45, 2005, 329-339; Funke et al., PNAS 103, 2006, 13010-13015; US5188642, US4940835, US5633435, US5804425, US5627061 ), the expression of glutamine synthase which is tolerant to glufosinate and bialaphos (see e.g. US5646024, US5561236) and DNA constructs coding for dicamba-degrading enzymes (see e.g. for general reference US 2009/0105077, and e.g. US7105724 for dicamba resistance in bean, maize (for maize see also WO2008051633), cotton (for cotton see also US5670454), pea, potatoe, sorghum, soybean (for soybean see also US5670454), sunflower, tobacco, tomato (for tomato see also US5670454)). Gene constructs can be obtained, for example, from micro-organism or plants, which are tolerant to said herbicides, such as the Agrobacterium strain CP4 EPSPS which is resistant to glyphosate; Streptomyces bacteria which are resistance to glufosinate; Arabidopsis, Daucus carota, Pseudomonoas ssp. or Zea mays with chimeric gene sequences coging for HDDP (see e.g. W01996/38567, WO 2004/55191 ); Arabidopsis thaliana which is resistant to protox inhibitors (see e.g. US2002/0073443).
Examples of commercial available plants with tolerance to herbicides, are the corn varieties "Roundup Ready® Corn", "Roundup Ready 2®" (Monsanto), "Agrisure GT®", "Agrisure
GT/CB/LL®", "Agrisure GT/RW®",„Agrisure 3000GT® " (Syngenta), "YieldGard VT
Rootworm/RR2®" and "YieldGard VT Triple®" (Monsanto) with tolerance to glyphosate; the corn varieties "Liberty Link®" (Bayer), "Herculex I®", "Herculex RW®", "Herculex® Xtra"(Dow, Pioneer), "Agrisure GT/CB/LL®" and "Agrisure CB/LL/RW®" (Syngenta) with tolerance to glufosinate; the soybean varieties "Roundup Ready® Soybean" (Monsanto) and "Optimum GAT®" (DuPont, Pioneer) with tolerance to glyphosate; the cotton varieties "Roundup Ready® Cotton" and "Roundup Ready Flex®" (Monsanto) with tolerance to glyphosate; the cotton variety "FiberMax Liberty Link®" (Bayer) with tolerance to glufosinate; the cotton variety "BXN®" (Calgene) with tolerance to bromoxynil; the canola varieties ..Navigator® " und ..Compass® " (Rhone-Poulenc) with bromoxynil tolerance; the canola varierty"Roundup Ready® Canola" (Monsanto) with glyphosate tolerance; the canola variety "InVigor®" (Bayer) with glufosinate tolerance; the rice variety "Liberty Link® Rice" (Bayer) with glulfosinate tolerance and the alfalfa variety "Roundup Ready Alfalfa" with glyphosate tolerance. Further modified plants with herbicide are commonly known, for instance alfalfa, apple, eucalyptus, flax, grape, lentils, oil seed rape, peas, potato, rice, sugar beet, sunflower, tobacco, tomatom turf grass and wheat with tolerance to glyphosate (see e.g. US 5188642, US 4940835, US 5633435, US 5804425, US 5627061 ); beans, soybean, cotton, peas, potato, sunflower, tomato, tobacco, corn, sorghum and sugarcane with tolerance to dicamba (see e.g. US 2009/0105077, US 7105724 and US 5670454); pepper, apple, tomato, hirse, sunflower, tobacco, potato, corn, cucumber, wheat, soybean and sorghum with tolerance to 2,4-D (see e.g. US 6153401 , US 6100446, WO 05/107437, US 5608147 and US 5670454); sugarbeet, potato, tomato and tobacco with tolerance to gluphosinate (see e.g. US 5646024, US 5561236); canola, barley, cotton, juncea, lettuce, lentils, melon, millet, oats, oilseed rape, potato, rice, rye, sorghum, soybean, sugarbeet, sunflower, tobacco, tomato and wheat with tolerance to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting herbicides, such as triazolopyrimidine sulfonamides, growth inhibitors and imidazolinones (see e.g. US 5013659, WO 06/060634, US 4761373, US 5304732, US 621 1438, US 621 1439 and US 6222100); cereal, sugar cane, rice, corn, tobacco, soybean, cotton, rapeseed, sugar beet and potatoe with tolerance to HPPD inhibitor herbicides (see e.g. WO 04/055191 , WO
96/38567, WO 97/049816 and US 6791014); wheat, soybean, cotton, sugar beet, rape, rice, corn, sorghum and sugar cane with tolerance to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor herbicides (see e.g. US2002/0073443, US 20080052798, Pest Management Science, 61 , 2005, 277-285). The methods of producing such herbicide resistant plants are generally known to the person skilled in the art and are described, for example, in the publications mentioned above. Further examples of commercial available modified plants with tolerance to herbicides
"CLEARFIELD® Corn", "CLEARFIELD® Canola", "CLEARFIELD® Rice", "CLEARFIELD® Lentils", "CLEARFIELD® Sunlowers" (BASF) with tolerance to the imidazolinone herbicides.
Furthermore, plants are also covered that are by the use of recombinant DNA techniques capable to synthesize one or more insecticidal proteins, especially those known from the bacterial genus Bacillus, particularly from Bacillus thuringiensis, such as δ-endotoxins, e.g. CrylA(b), CrylA(c), CrylF, CrylF(a2), CryllA(b), CrylllA, CrylllB(bl ) or Cry9c; vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIP), e.g. VIP1 , VIP2, VIP3 or VIP3A; insecticidal proteins of bacteria colonizing nematodes, e.g. Photorhabdus spp. or Xenorhabdus spp.; toxins produced by animals, such as scorpion toxins, arachnid toxins, wasp toxins, or other insect-specific neurotoxins; toxins produced by fungi, such Streptomycetes toxins, plant lectins, such as pea or barley lectins; agglutinins; proteinase inhibitors, such as trypsin inhibitors, serine protease inhibitors, patatin, cystatin or papain inhibitors; ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIP), such as ricin, maize-RIP, abrin, luffin, saporin or bryodin; steroid metabolism enzymes, such as 3- hydroxysteroid oxidase, ecdysteroid-IDP-glycosyl-transferase, cholesterol oxidases, ecdysone inhibitors or HMG-CoA-reductase; ion channel blockers, such as blockers of sodium or calcium channels; juvenile hormone esterase; diuretic hormone receptors (helicokinin receptors); stilben synthase, bibenzyl synthase, chitinases or glucanases. In the context of the present invention these insecticidal proteins or toxins are to be understood expressly also as pre-toxins, hybrid proteins, truncated or otherwise modified proteins. Hybrid proteins are characterized by a new combination of protein domains, (see, e. g. WO 02/015701 ). Further examples of such toxins or genetically modified plants capable of synthesizing such toxins are disclosed, e.g., in EP- A 374 753, WO 93/007278, WO 95/34656, EP-A 427 529, EP-A 451 878, WO 03/18810 und WO 03/52073. The methods for producing such genetically modified plants are generally known to the person skilled in the art and are described, e. g. in the publications mentioned above. These insecticidal proteins contained in the genetically modified plants impart to the plants producing these proteins tolerance to harmful pests from all taxonomic groups of athropods, especially to beetles (Coeloptera), two-winged insects (Diptera), and moths (Lepidoptera) and to nematodes (Nematoda). Genetically modified plants capable to synthesize one or more insecticidal proteins are, e.g., described in the publications mentioned above, and some of which are commercially available such as YieldGard® (corn cultivars producing the CrylAb toxin), YieldGard® Plus (corn cultivars producing CrylAb and Cry3Bb1 toxins), Starlink® (corn cultivars producing the Cry9c toxin), Herculex® RW (corn cultivars producing Cry34Ab1 , Cry35Ab1 and the enzyme Phosphinothricin-N-Acetyltransferase [PAT]); NuCOTN® 33B (cotton cultivars producing the Cry1 Ac toxin), Bollgard® I (cotton cultivars producing the CrylAc toxin), Bollgard® II (cotton cultivars producing CrylAc and Cry2Ab2 toxins); VIPCOT® (cotton cultivars producing a VIP-toxin); NewLeaf® (potatoecultivars producing the Cry3A toxin); Bt- Xtra®, NatureGard®, KnockOut®, BiteGard®, Protecta®, Bt1 1 (e. g. Agrisure® CB) and Bt176 from Syngenta Seeds SAS, France, (corn cultivars producing the CrylAb toxin and PAT enyzme), MIR604 from Syngenta Seeds SAS, France (corn cultivars producing a modified version of the Cry3A toxin, c.f. WO 03/018810), MON 863 from Monsanto Europe S.A., Belgium (corn cultivars producing the Cry3Bb1 toxin), IPC 531 from Monsanto Europe S.A., Belgium (cotton cultivars producing a modified version of the CrylAc toxin) and 1507 from Pioneer Overseas Corporation, Belgium (corn cultivars producing the Cry1 F toxin and PAT enzyme).
Furthermore, plants are also covered that are by the use of recombinant DNA techniques capable to synthesize one or more proteins to increase the resistance or tolerance of those plants to bacterial, viral or fungal pathogens. Examples of such proteins are the so-called "pathogenesis-related proteins" (PR proteins, see, e.g. EP-A 392225), plant disease resistance genes (e. g. potatoecultivars, which express resistance genes acting against Phytophthora infestans derived from the mexican wild potatoeSolanum bulbocastanum) or T4-lysozym (e.g. potatoecultivars capable of synthesizing these proteins with increased resistance against bacteria such as Erwinia amylvora). The methods for producing such genetically modified plants are generally known to the person skilled in the art and are described, e.g. in the publications mentioned above.
Furthermore, plants are also covered that are by the use of recombinant DNA techniques capable to synthesize one or more proteins to increase the productivity (e.g. bio mass production, grain yield, starch content, oil content or protein content), tolerance to drought, salinity or other growth-limiting environmental factors or tolerance to pests and fungal, bacterial or viral pathogens of those plants.
Furthermore, plants are also covered that contain by the use of recombinant DNA techniques a modified amount of substances of content or new substances of content, specifically to improve human or animal nutrition, e.g. oil crops that produce health-promoting long-chain omega-3 fatty acids or unsaturated omega-9 fatty acids (e.g. Nexera® rape, DOW Agro Sciences, Canada).
Furthermore, plants are also covered that contain by the use of recombinant DNA techniques a modified amount of substances of content or new substances of content, specifically to improve raw material production, e.g. potatoes that produce increased amounts of amylopectin (e.g. Amflora® potato, BASF SE, Germany).
The term "plant propagation material" is to be understood to denote all the generative parts of the plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers (e.g.
potatoes), which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. This includes seeds, grains, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, cuttings, spores, offshoots, shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil, meristem tissues, single and multiple plant cells and any other plant tissue from which a complete plant can be obtained.
The term "propagules" or "plant propagules" is to be understood to denote any structure with the capacity to give rise to a new plant, e.g. a seed, a spore, or a part of the vegetative body capable of independent growth if detached from the parent. In a preferred embodiment, the term "propagules" or "plant propagules" denotes for seed.
Within the scope of the invention, the health of a plant is increased.
Principally, the application rates of the compounds selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 or the compositions used according to the invention, are from 0,5 g/ha to 2000 g/ha, preferably 1 g/ha to 1000 g/ha, more preferably from 5 to 500g/ha, in particular from 25 to 250 g/ha. When used for increasing the health of a plant, the application rates of the compound selected from -1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are in particular between 5 g/ha and 500 g/ha, depending on various parameters such as the treated plant species or the composition applied. In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the application rates of the compound selected from -1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I- 9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are between 5 g/ha and 500 g/ha. In an even more preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the application rates of the compound selected from I- 1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are between 5 g/ha and 500 g/ha, in particular from 25 g/ha to 250 g/ha.
In the treatment of plant propagation material (preferably seed), amounts of from 0,01 g to 3 kg, in particular amounts from 0,01 g to 1 kg of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are generally required per 100 kg of plant propagation material (preferably seed). In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, amounts of from 0,01 g to 250 g of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are required per 100 kg of plant propagation material (preferably seed). In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, amounts of from 0,01 g to 150 g of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are required per 100 kg of plant.
When using glyphosate, the application rates are in the range of from 0,1 to 6,0 kg of active ingredient (acid equivalent) per hectare, depending on various parameters such as the weather conditions and the plant species.
As stated above, the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are used in "effective amounts". This means that they are used in a quantity which allows obtaining the desired effect which is a synergistic increase of the health of a plant but which does not give rise to any phytotoxic symptom on the treated plant. All compounds selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are typically applied as compositions comprising component I. In a preferred embodiment, the pesticial composition comprises a liquid or solid carrier and a mixture as described above.
For use according to the present invention, the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 can be converted into the customary formulations, for example solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dusts, powders, pastes and granules. The use form depends on the particular intended purpose; in each case, it should ensure a fine and even distribution of the compositions usedaccording to the present invention. The formulations are prepared in a known manner (cf. 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, S. 8-57 und ff. 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 (J. Wiley & Sons, New York, 1961 ), Hance et al.: Weed Control Handbook (8th Ed., Blackwell Scientific, Oxford, 1989) and Mollet, H. and Grubemann, A.: Formulation Technology (Wiley VCH Verlag, Weinheim, 2001 ).
The agrochemical formulations may also comprise auxiliaries which are customary in agrochemical formulations. The auxiliaries used depend on the particular application form and active substance, respectively. Examples for suitable auxiliaries are solvents, solid carriers, dispersants or emulsifiers (such as further solubilizers, protective colloids, surfactants and adhesion agents), organic and inorganic thickeners, bactericides, anti-freezing agents, anti- foaming agents, if appropriate colorants and tackifiers or binders (e.g. for seed treatment formulations).
Suitable solvents are water, organic solvents such as mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as kerosene or diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol and cyclohexanol, glycols, ketones such as cyclohexanone and gamma-butyrolactone, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters and strongly polar solvents, e.g. amines such as N-methylpyrrolidone.
Solid carriers are mineral earths such as silicates, silica gels, talc, kaolins, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clays, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground synthetic materials, fertilizers, such as, e.g. ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas, and products of vegetable origin, such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell meal, cellulose powders and other solid carriers.
Suitable surfactants (adjuvants, wetters, tackifiers, dispersants or emulsifiers) are alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, such as ligninsoulfonic acid (Borresperse® types, Borregard, Norway) phenolsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid (Morwet® types, Akzo Nobel, U.S.A.), dibutylnaphthalene-sulfonic acid (Nekal® types, BASF, Germany), and fatty acids, alkylsulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, laurylether sulfates, fatty alcohol sulfates, and sulfated hexa-, hepta- and octadecanolates, sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, furthermore condensates of naphthalene or of naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxy-ethylene octylphenyl ether, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol, alkylphenyl polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ether, tristearylphenyl polyglycol ether, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alcohol and fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated
polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignin-sulfite waste liquid and proteins, denatured proteins, polysaccharides (e.g. methylcellulose), hydrophobically modified starches, polyvinyl alcohols (Mowiol® types, Clariant, Switzerland), polycarboxylates (Sokolan® types, BASF, Germany), polyalkoxylates, polyvinylamines (Lupasol® types, BASF, Germany), polyvinylpyrrolidone and the copolymers therof. Examples for thickeners (i.e.
compounds that impart a modified flowability to formulations, i.e. high viscosity under static conditions and low viscosity during agitation) are polysaccharides and organic and inorganic clays such as Xanthan gum (Kelzan®, CP Kelco, U.S.A.), Rhodopol® 23 (Rhodia, France), Veegum® (R.T. Vanderbilt, U.S.A.) or Attaclay® (Engelhard Corp., NJ, USA).
Bactericides may be added for preservation and stabilization of the formulation. Examples for suitable bactericides are those based on dichlorophene and benzylalcohol hemi formal (Proxel® from ICI or Acticide® RS from Thor Chemie and Kathon® MK from Rohm & Haas) and isothiazolinone derivatives such as alkylisothiazolinones and benzisothiazolinones (Acticide® MBS from Thor Chemie). Examples for suitable anti-freezing agents are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, urea and glycerin. Examples for anti-foaming agents are silicone emulsions (such as e.g. Silikon® SRE, Wacker, Germany or Rhodorsil®, Rhodia, France), long chain alcohols, fatty acids, salts of fatty acids, fluoroorganic compounds and mixtures thereof.
Suitable colorants are pigments of low water solubility and water-soluble dyes. Examples to be mentioned und the designations rhodamin B, C. I. pigment red 1 12, 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 1 12, 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.
Examples for tackifiers or binders are polyvinylpyrrolidons, polyvinylacetates, polyvinyl alcohols and cellulose ethers (Tylose®, Shin-Etsu, Japan).
Powders, materials for spreading and dusts can be prepared by mixing or concomitantly grinding compound I, if appropriate, further active substances, with at least one solid carrier.
Granules, e.g. coated granules, impregnated granules and homogeneous granules, can be prepared by binding the active substances to solid carriers. Examples of solid carriers are mineral earths such as silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attaclay, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground synthetic materials, fertilizers, such as, e.g., ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas, and products of vegetable origin, such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal and nutshell meal, cellulose powders and other solid carriers. Examples for formulation types are:
1 . Composition types for dilution with water
i) Water-soluble concentrates (SL, LS)
10 parts by weight of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of water or in a water-soluble solvent. As an alternative, wetting agents or other auxiliaries are added. The active substance dissolves upon dilution with water. In this way, a formulation having a content of 10% by weight of active substance is obtained.
ii) Dispersible concentrates (DC)
20 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and l-12are dissolved in 70 parts by weight of cyclohexanone with addition of 10 parts by weight of a dispersant, e. g. polyvinylpyrrolidone. Dilution with water gives a dispersion. The active substance content is 20% by weight.
iii) Emulsifiable concentrates (EC)
15 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are dissolved in 75 parts by weight of xylene with addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). Dilution with water gives an emulsion. The composition has an active substance content of 15% by weight.
iv) Emulsions (EW, EO, ES)
25 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are dissolved in 35 parts by weight of xylene with addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). This mixture is introduced into 30 parts by weight of water by means of an emulsifying machine (Ultraturrax) and made into a homogeneous emulsion. Dilution with water gives an emulsion. The composition has an active substance content of 25% by weight.
v) Suspensions (SC, OD, FS)
In an agitated ball mill, 20 parts by weight of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4 and I-5 or the compounds of the compositions used according to the invention are comminuted with addition of 10 parts by weight of dispersants and wetting agents and 70 parts by weight of water or an organic solvent to give a fine active substance suspension. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active substance. The active substance content in the composition is 20% by weight.
vi) Water-dispersible granules and water-soluble granules (WG, SG)
50 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are ground finely with addition of 50 parts by weight of dispersants and wetting agents and prepared as water-dispersible or water-soluble granules by means of technical appliances (e. g. extrusion, spray tower, fluidized bed). Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active substance. The composition has an active substance content of 50% by weight.
vii) Water-dispersible powders and water-soluble powders (WP, SP, SS, WS)
75 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are ground in a rotor-stator mill with addition of 25 parts by weight of dispersants, wetting agents and silica gel. Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution of the active substance. The active substance content of the composition is 75% by weight.
viii) Gel (GF)
In an agitated ball mill, 20 parts by weight of compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4 and I-5 or the compounds of the compositions used according to the invention are comminuted with addition of 10 parts by weight of dispersants, 1 part by weight of a gelling agent wetters and 70 parts by weight of water or of an organic solvent to give a fine suspension of the active substance. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension of the active substance, whereby a composition with 20% (w/w) of active substance is obtained.
2. Composition types to be applied undiluted
ix) Dustable powders (DP, DS)
5 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are ground finely and mixed intimately with 95 parts by weight of finely divided kaolin. This gives a dustable composition having an active substance content of 5% by weight.
x) Granules (GR, FG, GG, MG)
0.5 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I- 8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 is ground finely and associated with 99.5 parts by weight of carriers. Current methods are extrusion, spray-drying or the fluidized bed. This gives granules to be applied undiluted having an active substance content of 0.5% by weight.
xi) ULV solutions (UL)
10 parts by weight of compounds of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of an organic solvent, e. g. xylene. This gives a composition to be applied undiluted having an active substance content of 10% by weight.
The agrochemical formulations generally comprise between 0.01 and 95%, preferably between 0.1 and 90%, most preferably between 0.5 and 90%, by weight of active substances. The compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4 and I-5 or the compounds of the compositions used according to the invention are employed in a purity of from 90% to 100%, preferably from 95% to 100% (according to NMR spectrum).
The compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 can be used as such or in the form of their compositions, e.g. in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions, dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dustable products, materials for spreading, or granules, by means of spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading, brushing, immersing or pouring. The application forms depend entirely on the intended purposes; it is intended to ensure in each case the finest possible distribution of the compounds present in the compositions used according to the invention.
Aqueous application forms can be prepared from emulsion concentrates, pastes or wettable powders (sprayable powders, oil dispersions) by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes or oil dispersions, the substances, as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent, can be homogenized in water by means of a wetter, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier. Alternatively, it is possible to prepare concentrates composed of active substance, wetter, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier and, if appropriate, solvent or oil, and such concentrates are suitable for dilution with water.
The active substance concentrations in the ready-to-use preparations can be varied within relatively wide ranges. In general, they are from 0.0001 to 10%, preferably from 0.001 to 1 % by weight of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12.
The compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 may also be used successfully in the ultra-low-volume process (ULV), it being possible to apply compositions comprising over 95% by weight of active substance, or even to apply the active substance without additives.
Various types of oils, wetters, adjuvants, herbicides, fungicides, other pesticides, or bactericides may be added to the active compounds, if appropriate not until immediately prior to use (tank mix). These agents can be admixed with the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I- 7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 in a weight ratio of 1 :100 to 100:1 , preferably 1 :10 to 10:1 .
Compositions of this invention may also contain fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate, urea, potash, and superphosphate, phytotoxicants and plant growth regulators and safeners. These may be used sequentially or in combination with the above-described compositions, if appropriate also added only immediately prior to use (tank mix). For example, the plant(s) may be sprayed with a composition of this invention or composition used according to the invention either before or after being treated with the fertilizers.
The compounds contained in the compositions as defined above can be applied simultaneously, that is jointly or separately, or in succession, the sequence, in the case of separate application, generally not having any effect on the result of the control measures.
As mentioned above, a variant of the present invention also comprises seed treatment with component II followed by foliar spraying with component I.
Seed treatment can be made into the seedbox before planting into the field.
For seed treatment purposes, the weight ratio in the compositions generally depends on the properties of the compounds of the compositions.
Compositions, which are especially useful for seed treatment are e.g.:
A Soluble concentrates (SL, LS)
D Emulsions (EW, EO, ES) E Suspensions (SC, OD, FS)
F Water-dispersible granules and water-soluble granules (WG, SG)
G Water-dispersible powders and water-soluble powders (WP, SP, WS)
H Gel-formulations (GF)
I Dustable powders (DP, DS)
These compositions can be applied to plant propagation materials, particularly seeds, diluted or undiluted. The compositions in question give, after two-to-tenfold dilution, active substance concentrations of from 0.01 to 60% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 40% by weight, in the ready-to-use preparations. Application can be carried out before or during sowing. Methods for applying or treating agrochemical compounds and compositions thereof, respectively, on to plant propagation material, especially seeds, are known in the art, and include dressing, coating, pelleting, dusting and soaking application methods of the propagation material (and also in furrow treatment). In a preferred embodiment, the compounds or the compositions thereof, respectively, are applied on to the plant propagation material by a method such that germination is not induced, e. g. by seed dressing, pelleting, coating and dusting.
In the treatment of plant propagation material (preferably seed), the application rates of the compound selected from 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, 1-10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 are generally for the formulated product (which usually comprises from 10 to 750 g/l of the active(s)). Further suitable application rates see above.
The invention also relates to the use of propagation products of plants, and especially the seed comprising, that is, coated with and/or containing, a composition containing of two or more active ingredients or a mixture of two or more compositions each providing one of the active ingredients. The plant propagation material (preferably seed) comprises the compositions used according to the invention in an amount of from 0.01 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of plant propagation material (preferably seed).
The separate or joint application of the compound I of the compositions used according to the invention is carried out by spraying or dusting the seeds, the seedlings, the plants or the soils before or after sowing of the plants or before or after emergence of the plants.
In principal, all agrochemical formulations as described above may comprise further active ingredients, i.e. fungicides, insecticides, microbials, herbicides and/or plant growth regulator.
In case a composition comprising any of the compounds 1-1 , I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5, I-6, I-7, I-8, I-9, I- 10, 1-1 1 and 1-12 and one further active ingredient, the health of a plant may be increased synergistically. The term "synergistically" refers to the fact that the purely additive effect (in mathematical terms) of a simultaneous, that is joint or separate application of one compound I and a further active ingredient, or the successive application of one compound I and a further active ingredient, of the application of the individual compound I.