DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(SECTION 39 OF 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)

FUNGICIDAL SYNERGETIC FORMULATIONs, PROCESS FOR PREPARING AND USE THEREOF

We, COROMANDEL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED,
an Indian company incorporated under Companies Act of 1956, having its principal place of business at Coromandel House, Sardar Patel Road, Secunderabad – 500 003, Telangana, India.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides.

The present invention also relates to synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries.

The present invention also relates to synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides at a weight in the ratio of 1 : 5 to 5 : 1, more preferably in the ratio of 1 : 3 to 3 : 1.

The present invention also relates to synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole.

The present invention more specifically relates to synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole, Propiconazole, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries.

The present invention more specifically relates to synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole, at a weight in the ratio of 1 : 5 to 5 : 1, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries.

The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole, by a simple mixing process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cyproconazole is an agricultural fungicide of the class of azoles, used on cereal crops, coffee, sugar beet, fruit trees and grapes, on sod farms and golf courses and on wood as a preservative. Cyproconazole is used against powdery mildew, rust on cereals and apple scab, and applied by air or on the ground It controls the following pests: Puccinia graminis, Puccinia spp., Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides and Septoria species. It can be used on above-ground wood to prevent it from decay from fungi as an alternative to chromated copper arsenate.

Cyproconazole is chemically known as 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-cyclopropyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanol and is depicted by the structure given below :



Cyproconazole inhibits demethylation, a particular step in the synthesis of a component of the fungal cell wall called sterol. This means it affects fungal growth, but not the fungal sporulation. This explains why it must be used when fungal growth is maximum, early in the infection, because in late infections fungal growth slows down and the agent is ineffective.

Many different formulations exist with Imazalil, Difenoconazole, Prochloraz, Propiconazole, Chlorothalonil, Cyprodinil, Fludioxonil, Azoxystrobin, and Copper. In wood preservatives it is mixed with didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride. It is the active ingredient in two foliar fungicides for soybeans in the U.S., Alto X, and mixed with azoxystrobin in Quadris Xtra.

Propiconazole is a triazole fungicide, also known as a DMI, or demethylation inhibiting fungicide due to its binding with and inhibiting the 14-alpha demethylase enzyme from demethylating a precursor to ergosterol. Without this demethylation step, the ergosterols are not incorporated into the growing fungal cell membranes, and cellular growth is stopped. It has a broad-spectrum systemic foliar fungicide for the control of a wide range of leaf and stem diseases in cereals.

Propiconazole is a systemic foliar fungicide with a broad range of activity. It is used on grasses grown for seed, mushrooms, corn, wild rice, peanuts, almonds, sorghum, oats, pecans, apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums and prunes. On cereals it controls diseases caused by Erysiphe graminis, Leptosphaeria nodorum, Pseudocerosporella herpotrichoides, Puccinia spp., Pyrenophora teres, Rhynchosporium secalis, and Septoria spp. It is also used in combination with permethrin in formulations of wood preserver. Propiconazole exhibits strong anti-feeding properties against the keratin-digesting Australian carpet beetle Anthrenocerus australis.

Propiconazole is a mixture of four stereoisomers and chemically 1-[ [2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-propyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl]methyl]-1,2,4-triazole. Propiconazole has the following structure:

US 4,079,062 A claims Propiconazole generically.

US 4,664,696 A discloses / claims Cyproconazole and compositions containing Cyproconazole. US 4,783,475 A claims compositions of Cyproconazole which contain additionally a guanidine.

Though, conventionally each of these active ingredients are used individually, and combination product with other products is approved, however, the combination of the present invention is not found. In view of the advantageous properties of the synergestic properties, there is increased interest in the use of Active ingredients in combination to give synergistic results.

We surprisingly found that a combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole, characterized by different modes of action, exhibits a considerable synergistic effect, allowing a higher fungicidal activity to be obtained than that envisaged on the basis of the activities of individual Cyproconazole and Propiconazole.
OBJECTIVE OF INVENTION
The main objective of the present invention is to provide synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides at a weight in the ratio of 1 : 5 to 5 : 1, more preferably in the ratio of 1 : 3 to 3 : 1.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole, Propiconazole, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole, at a weight in the ratio of 1 : 5 to 5 : 1, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries.

Still yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a process for the preparation of synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole, by a simple mixing process.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of two triazole fungicides, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries, wherein said two triazole fungicides are Cyproconazole and Propiconazole.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising two triazole fungicides at a weight in the ratio of 1 : 5 to 5 : 1, more preferably in the ratio of 1 : 3 to 3 : 1.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole, wherein said composition is in the form of emulsifiable concentrate.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole,
b) Propiconazole,
c) emulsifiers, and
d) other agrochemical auxiliaries.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole,
b) Propiconazole,
c) emulsifiers, and
d) solvents.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising combination of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole, at a weight in the ratio of 1 : 5 to 5 : 1, emulsifiers and other agrochemical auxiliaries.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides emulsifiable concentrate composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole in the range of 1% to 10 % (w/w),
b) Propiconazole in the range of 1% to 20% (w/w),
c) emulsifiers in the range of 1% to 25% (w/w), and
d) other additives / auxiliaries in the range of 10% to 90% (w/w).

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides emulsifiable concentrate composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole in the range of 1% to 10 % (w/w),
b) Propiconazole in the range of 1% to 20% (w/w),
c) emulsifiers in the range of 1% to 25% (w/w), and
d) solvents in the range of 10% to 90% (w/w).

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides emulsifiable concentrate composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole in the range of 1% to 10 % (w/w),
b) Propiconazole in the range of 1% to 20% (w/w),
c) mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate in the range of 1% to 25% (w/w),
d) cyclohexanone in the range of 1% to 25% (w/w),
e) blend of N,N-dimethyl octan/decanamide in the range of 1% to 15% (w/w), and
f) solvent naptha in the range of 10% to 50% (w/w).

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparing emulsifiable concentrate comprising the steps of:
a) weighing and mixing active ingredients and auxiliaries,
b) filtering the obtained material and packing.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparing emulsifiable concentrate comprising the steps of:
a) weighing and mixing Cyclohexanone and blend of N,N-dimethyl octan/decanamide with a magnetic stirrer,
b) weighing required quantity of Cyproconazole and slowly start adding into the solvents until it gets dissolved.
c) melting the Propiconazole in hot water bath, then weighing required quantity and adding into the vessel,
d) adding solvent naptha to the vessel and stirring for 15 minutes,
e) adding mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate to the vessel and mixing properly at least for 30 minutes.
f) filtering the obtained material and packing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The term "comprising", which is synonymous with "including", "containing", or "characterized by" here is defined as being inclusive or open-ended, and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Cyproconazole and Propiconazole may be present in the composition or applied in any amounts relative to each other, to provide the enhanced or synergistic effect of the mixture. Cyproconazole and Propiconazole may be present in the synergistic fungicidal composition in any suitable amount, and is generally present in an amount of from 1% to 25% by weight of the composition, preferably from 5% to 20% by weight of the composition. However, variables of the ratios of each of the active ingredients can be used and the selection of the particular amount is dependent upon many factors including, for example, type of formulations, the crop, disease sought to be controlled and environmental conditions. The selection of the proper quantity of active agent to be applied, however, is within the expertise of one skilled in the art.

Formulation includes water soluble concentrate (SL), an emulsifiable concentrate (EC), an emulsion (EW), a microemulsion (ME), a suspension concentrates (SC), an oil-based dispersions (OD), a flowable suspension (FS), a water-dispersible granule (WG), water-soluble granule (SG), a water-dispersible powder (WP), a water soluble powder (SP), a granule (GR), an encapsulated granule (CG), a fine granule (FG), a macrogranule (GG), an aqueous suspoemulsion (SE), capsule suspension (CS) and a microgranule (MG). Preferably, the synergistic fungicidal composition can be formulated as emulstifiable concentrate (EC), suspension concentrates (SC), wettable powder (WP) or water-dispersible granule (WG). Most preferably, the synergistic fungicidal composition can be formulated as emulstifiable concentrate (EC),.

The emulsifier used in the composition allows the active ingredient in the solvent to mix with water, this form an emulsion. The emulsifying surfactant system enabling the composition to form an oil-in-water emulsion when the formulation is added to water is typically a mixture of two or more surfactants, at least one of which is a nonionic surfactant and optionally at least one of which is an anionic surfactant.

The surfactants customarily employed in formulation technology, which are described, inter alia, in “Mc Cutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual” MC Publishing Corp., Ridgewood N.J., 1981, Stache, H., “Tensid-Taschenbuch”, Carl Hanser Verlag, MunichNienna, 1981 and M. and J. Ash, “Encyclopedia of Surfactants”, Vol I-III, Chemical Publishing Co., New York, 1980-81, are also suitable for preparation of the herbicidal compositions according to the invention.

The anionic and non-ionic surfactants as used herein are selected from and not limited to C1-C16-alkyl benzene sulfonates, C1-C16-alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, lignosulfonates, naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensates, C1-C16-alkyl naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensates, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene C8-C22-alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene C8-C22-alkyl ether phosphates, polyoxy- C2-C3-alkylene C1-C16-alkylbenzene ether sulfates, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene C1-C16-alkylbenzene ether phosphates, C8-C22-alkyl sulfates, C4-C18-dialkyl sulfosuccinates, polyoxy- C2-C3-alkylene mono-, di- or tristyryl phenyl ether sulfates, polyoxy- C2-C3-alkylene mono-, di- or tristyryl phenyl etherphosphates, polyoxyethylene polycarboxylates, polyphosphates, fatty acid alkanolamides, calcium dodecylbenzene sulfonate in combination with 2-methylpropan-1-ol, poly (oxy-1, 2-ethanediyl),.alpha.-[tris(1-phenylethyl)phenyl]-.omega.-hydroxy- (mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate) (Geronil FF4 and Geronil FF6), the condensation products of fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid amides or fatty amines with ethylene and/or propylene oxide, alkyl- , alkenyl or polyaryl-substituted phenols with ethylene and/or propylene oxide, fatty esters of polyhydric alcohol esters e.g. sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene mono-, di- or tristyryl phenyl ethers, condensation product of such esters with ethylene oxide, e.g. polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxides, ethoxylated lanolin alcohols or ethoxylated lanolin acids from the group consisting of homo- or copolymers of C2-C3-alkylene oxides, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene C8-C22-alkyl ethers, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene C1-C16-alkylbenzene ethers, polyoxy- C2-C3-alkylene mono-, di- or tristyryl phenyl ethers, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene mono- or distyryl phenyl ether-formaldehyde condensates, and acetylene glycols, Calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, 2-methylpropan-1-ol, Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-[tris(1-phenylethyl)phenyl]-.omega.-hydroxy- with molecular ranges (mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate) (Geronil FF4 and Geronil FF6).

Geronil FF4 and Geronil FF6 comprise of same components but in different concentrations.

Geronil FF4 comprising blend of:
calcium dodecylbenzene sulphonate >40% to < 50%,
2-methylpropan-1-ol (isobutanol) >30% to < 40%,
poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-[tris(1- phenylethyl)phenyl]-.omega.-hydroxy- (tristyrylphenol ethoxylate) >15% to < 20%.

Geronil FF6 comprising blend of:
calcium dodecylbenzene sulphonate > 10% to < 15%,
2-methylpropan-1-ol (isobutanol) >5% to < 10%,
poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.-[tris(1-phenylethyl)phenyl]-.omega.-hydroxy- (tristyrylphenol ethoxylate) >70% to < 80%.

The emulsifiers are present in the composition in a range of about 1% to 25%, more preferably %1 to 20% of the total weight of the composition.

Solvent as used herein is a suitable water-immiscible solvents selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, dialkylene glycol dialkyl ethers (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), ketones such as cyclohexanone, alkyl esters of acetic acid or mixtures thereo. Aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane, cyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, mineral oil or kerosene or substituted naphthalenes, polar aprotic solvents such as DMSO, DMF etc, blend of N,N-dimethyl octan/decanamide mixtures of mono- and polyalkylated aromatics are commercially available under the registered trademarks solvent naptha (Solvent C9), Solvesso® and Shellsol® and Petrol Spezial®.

The solvents present in the composition in a range of about 1 to 90%, more preferably 10 to 80% of the total weight of the composition.

The formulated composition may for example be applied in spray form, e.g., employing appropriate dilutions. The rates of application (use) of the composition of the present invention may vary, for example, according to type of use, soil type, season, climate, soil ecology, type of plants, but is such that Cyproconazole and Propiconazole in the combination in an effective amount to provide the desired action. The application rate of the composition for a given set of conditions can readily be determined by trials. The composition of the present invention may contain or be mixed with other pesticides, such as fungicides, insecticides and nematicides, growth factor and fertilizers, to enhance the activity of the association of the invention or to widen its spectrum of activity.

A particular mode of administering the composition of the present invention is the administration to the aboveground parts of plants, in particular to the leaves thereof (leaf-application). The number of applications and the administered doses are chosen in accordance with the biological and climatic conditions of life of the causative agent. The antifungal compositions though, can also be applied to the soil and get into the plants through the root system (systemic activity), in case the locus of the plants is sprayed with a liquid composition or if the components are added to the soil in a solid formulation e.g. in the form of granulate (soil application).

When using the active compound combinations according to the invention, the application rate can be varied within a relatively wide range, depending on the kind of application. For the treatment of parts of plants, the active-compound combination application rates are generally between 0.1 and 10000 g/ha, preferably between 100 and 2500 g/ha. For seed dressing, the active compound combination application rates are generally between 0.001 and 50 g per kilogram of seed, preferably between 0.01 and 20 g per kilogram of seed. For the treatment of the soil, the active-compound combination application rates are generally between 0.1 and 10000 g/ha preferably between 1 and 5000 g/ha.

The following examples describes the nature of the invention which are given only for the purpose of illustrating the present invention in more detail and are not limitative and relate to solutions.

EXAMPLES
Example 1: Composition of CYPROCONAZOLE 5% + PROPICONAZOLE 12.5% (EC):
S. No. Raw materials Quantity % (w/w)
1 Cyproconazole technical (a)96%(b)5% 5.21
2 Propiconazole technical (a)96.9% (b)12.5% 12.89
3 Cyclohexanone 20.00
4 blend of N,N-Dimethyl Octan/Decanamide (Armid DM 810) 10.00
5 Mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate (Geronol FF4) 3.00
6 Mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate (Geronol FF6) 9.00
7 Solvent naptha (Solvent C9) QS

Manufacturing process

Step 1: According to batch size, weigh Cyclohexanone and Armid DM 810 in a clean vessel and keep it under staring in a magnetic stirrer.
Step 2: Weigh required quantity of Cyproconazole and slowly start adding into the solvents until it gets dissolved.
Step 3: Melt the Propiconazole technical in hot water bath and then weigh required quantity and add into the vessel.
Step 4: Weigh solvent C9 and add it to the vessel and keep stirring for 15 minute and allow it to mix properly.
Step 5: Weigh accurately required quantities of the both the emulsifiers Geronol FF4 and Geronol FF6) and add into the vessel. Allow to mix properly at least for 30 minutes.
Step 6: Filter the sample and send it to analytical for all physico-chemical analysis.
Step 7: Pack the sample in HDP bottles and dispatch.

Field efficacy trials:

Trial 1: Bio-efficacy against rice sheath blight

The sheath blight is caused by the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. This is potentially devasting disease can infect rice foliage at any stage of crop development. Its major threat to many crops and can also affect the crop stand and yield. Rhizoctonia solani fungus is cosmopolitan, polyphagous, widely distributed in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions and for its development required hot and humid environment. The fungus spreads in the field by growing its runner hyphae from tiller to tiller, from leaf to leaf, and from plant to plant, resulting in a circular pattern of damage. The infection spreads most quickly when susceptible varieties are grown under favourable conditions such as warm temperature (28 to 32°C), high humidity (95% or above), and dense stands with a heavily developed canopy.

The field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of innovative mixtures of cyproconazole and propiconazole against Rhizoctonia solani fungus in rice crop. Trial was conducted with randomized block design with net plot size of 5m x 6m. rice crop was raised with all standard agronomic practices. Spraying was done with manual operated backpack knapsack sprayer with 500 L of water spray volume per hectare at 45 days after transplanting.

The visual observations were recorded for % disease control from ten hills per plot. The observations were recorded at before spraying, 7 DAA (Days after application) and 14 DAA (Days after application).

Table 1: sheath blight disease control in rice:
Compositions Dose (gram active per hectare) Percent disease control –Sheath blight.
07 DAA 14 DAA
Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC (Example 1) 200 90 85
Propiconazole 12.5% EC 100 50 45
Cyproconazole 12.5% SL 100 60 50
WP - Wettable Powder, SC – Suspension concentrates, EC – Emulsifiable concentrate, OS – Oily suspension, SL – Solubilized liquid and DAA - Days after application.

The trial results show excellent efficacy of Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC combinations against sheath blight disease of rice. The solo application of two active ingredients tested here, were not able to provide satisfactory control of sheath blight disease. The combination of Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC found very promising against rice sheath blight in terms of efficacy as well as residual control.

Trial 2: Bio-efficacy against rice leaf spot complex
The leaf spot is caused by the fungal pathogens Helminthosporium spp., Cercospora spp. Magnaporthe oryzae. This is potentially devasting disease can infect rice foliage. It leads to premature death of leaves and leaf sheaths, premature ripening of grains, and in severe cases, lodging of plants. Its major threat to many crops and can also affect the crop stand and yield. Leaf spot complex fungus is cosmopolitan and widely distributed in tropical, subtropical regions of Asia and for its development required hot and humid environment. The disease usually occurs in potassium deficient soils, and in areas with temperature ranging from 25-28°C. It appears during the late growth stages of the rice crop, starting at heading stage. Plants are most susceptible during panicle initiation onwards, and damage becomes more severe as plants approach maturity.
The field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of innovative mixtures of Cyproconazole and Propiconazole against leaf spot complex fungus in rice crop. Trial was conducted with randomized block design with net plot size of 5m x 6m. rice crop was raised with all standard agronomic practices. Spraying was done with manual operated backpack knapsack sprayer with 500 L of water spray volume per hectare at 45 days after transplanting.
The visual observations were recorded for % disease control from ten hills per plot. The observations were recorded at before spraying, 7 DAA (Days after application) and 14 DAA (Days after application).

Table 2: Leaf spot complex control in rice:
Compositions Dose (gram active per hectare) Percent disease control – leaf spot complex.
07 DAA 14 DAA
Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC (Example 1) 200 95 85
Propiconazole 12.5% EC 100 45 35
Cyproconazole 12.5% SL 100 65 55
WP - Wettable Powder, SC – Suspension concentrates, EC – Emulsifiable concentrate, OS – Oily suspension, SL – Solubilized liquid and DAA - Days after application.

The trial results in Table 2 show excellent efficacy of Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC combinations against lead spot complex disease of rice. The solo application of two active ingredients tested here, were also not able to provide satisfactory control of sheath blight disease. The combination of Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC found very promising against rice sheath blight in terms of efficacy as well as residual control.

Trial 3: Bio-efficacy against rice dirty panicle
The Dirty panicle disease or rice grain discoloration may be caused by many fungi, viz., Alternaria padwickii (Ganguly) M.B. Ellis; Curvularia lunata (Wakk) Boedjin; Fusarium moniliforme J. Sheld; and Bipolaris oryzae (Breda de Haan) Shoem. This is potentially devasting disease can infect rice foliage. Infection starts at the early boot stage and results in brown spots on rice hulls and the discoloration of rice grains. The germination of infected rice seeds is poor, and seedlings when they emerge, are abnormal. Infected rice seeds are also the source of the inoculum of the pathogenic fungi, which is distributed through seed storage to new crops. This disease is a major cause of rice seed destruction and leads to losses in yield, both qualitatively and quantitatively, of up to 80%. Dirty panicle disease has been reported in many countries where rice is a major crop, such as India, Pakistan, and Brazil. The disease usually occurs in potassium deficient soils, and in areas with temperature ranging from 25-28°C. It appears during the late growth stages of the rice crop, starting at heading stage. Plants are most susceptible during panicle initiation onwards, and damage becomes more severe as plants approach maturity.
The field trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of innovative mixtures of cyproconazole and propiconazole against dirty panicle fungus in rice crop. Trial was conducted with randomized block design with net plot size of 5m x 6m. Rice crop was raised with all standard agronomic practices. Spraying was done with manual operated backpack knapsack sprayer with 500 L of water spray volume per hectare at 45 days after transplanting.

The visual observations were recorded for % disease control from ten hills per plot. The observations were recorded at before spraying, 7 DAA (Days after application) and 14 DAA (Days after application).

Table 3: Dirty panicle disease in rice:
Compositions Dose (gram active per hectare) Percent disease control – Dirty panicle disease.
07 DAA 14 DAA
Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC (Example 1) 200 85 80
Propiconazole 12.5% EC 100 45 35
Cyproconazole 12.5% SL 100 50 40
WP - Wettable Powder, SC – Suspension concentrates, EC – Emulsifiable concentrate, OS – Oily suspension, SL – Solubilized liquid and DAA - Days after application.

The trial results in table 3 show excellent efficacy of Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC combinations against dirty panicle disease of rice. The solo application of two active ingredients tested here, were also not able to provide satisfactory control of sheath blight disease. The combination of Cyproconazole 5% + Propiconazole 12.5% EC found very promising against rice sheath blight in terms of efficacy as well as residual control.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A synergistic fungicidal composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole,
b) Propiconazole,
c) emulsifiers, and
d) solvents.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition is in the form of emulsifiable concentrate.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said emulsifiers are selected form fatty acid esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid amides or fatty amines with ethylene and/or propylene oxide, alkyl- , alkenyl or polyaryl-substituted phenols with ethylene and/or propylene oxide, fatty esters of polyhydric alcohol esters e.g. sorbitan fatty acid esters, condensation product of such esters with ethylene oxide, e.g. polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxides, ethoxylated lanolin alcohols or ethoxylated lanolin acids from the group consisting of homo- or copolymers of C2-C3-alkylene oxides, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene C8-C22-alkyl ethers, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene C1-C16-alkylbenzene ethers, polyoxy- C2-C3-alkylene mono-, di- or tristyryl phenyl ethers, polyoxy-C2-C3-alkylene mono- or distyryl phenyl ether-formaldehyde condensates, and acetylene glycols, mixture or blend of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solvents are selected from the aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic hydrocarbons, dialkylene glycol dialkyl ethers (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), ketones such as cyclohexanone, alkyl esters of acetic acid or mixtures thereo, aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexane, cyclohexane, benzene, toluene, xylene, mineral oil or kerosene or substituted naphthalenes, polar aprotic solvents such as DMSO, DMF etc, blend of N,N-dimethyl octan/decanamide, mixtures of mono- and polyalkylated aromatics are commercially available under the registered trademarks solvent naptha (Solvent C9).

5. The composition as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein said emulsifiable concentrate composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole in the range of 1% to 10 % (w/w),
b) Propiconazole in the range of 1% to 20% (w/w),
c) emulsifiers in the range of 1% to 25% (w/w), and
d) solvents in the range of 10% to 90% (w/w).

6. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 4, wherein said emulsifiable concentrate composition comprising:
a) Cyproconazole in the range of 1% to 10 % (w/w),
b) Propiconazole in the range of 1% to 20% (w/w),
c) mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate in the range of 1% to 25% (w/w),
d) cyclohexanone in the range of 1% to 25% (w/w),
e) blend of N,N-dimethyl octan/decanamide in the range of 1% to 15% (w/w), and
f) solvent naptha in the range of 10% to 50% (w/w).

7. The process for the preparation of composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process comprising the steps of:
a) weighing and mixing active ingredients and auxiliaries,
b) filtering the obtained material and packing.

8. The process for the preparation of composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein said process comprising the steps of:
a) weighing and mixing Cyclohexanone and blend of N,N-dimethyl octan/decanamide with a magnetic stirrer,
b) weighing required quantity of Cyproconazole and slowly start adding into the solvents until it gets dissolved.
c) melting the Propiconazole in hot water bath, then weighing required quantity and adding into the vessel,
d) adding solvent naptha to the vessel and stirring for 15 minutes,
e) adding mixture of calcium dodecyl benzene sulphonate, isobutanol and tristyrylphenol ethoxylate to the vessel and mixing properly at least for 30 minutes.
f) filtering the obtained material and packing.

Dated this Twenty fifth (25th) day of August, 2021

__________________________________
Dr. S. Padmaja
Agent for the Applicant
IN/PA/883