DESC:COMPOSITION COMPRISING BIOFUNGICIDE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, and process of preparation thereof. The present invention further provides an effervescent composition that dissolves rapidly in water to give a dispersion containing biofungicide.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fungicides can be produced chemically against fungus while they can also be obtained from microorganisms. Generally, environmental friendly fungus whose genetics is well known are preferred in selection of the said living organisms. Microorganism Trichoderma was known to have a wide antagonistic spectrum against fungal diseases in plants, in particular against soil-soil borne pathogenic fungi. The antagonistic action of Trichoderma strain is to accelerate cytoplasmic aggregation upon contacting with hyphae and coiling thereof, thus killing the disease-causing microorganism.

US Patent no. 5,422,107 relates to fungicidal composition containing Trichoderma harzianum SK-55 fungus isolated from soil and method of preparation of fungicidal composition thereof.

US Patent no. 5,516,529 relates to effervescent granulate consisting of a solid water-soluble acidic substance, potassium carbonate and one or more water-insoluble substances that are capable of absorbing water, a pesticidal active ingredient concentrate that is in the form of effervescent tablets and contains the effervescent granulate.

Korea Patent no. 101064899 relates to effervescent tablet fertilizer composition for rice cultivation containing silicate in a mixture of carbonate, organic acid and excipient.

Europe Patent no. 0203768 relates to an effervescent composition in the form of tablets or granules which dissolve rapidly in water to yield an effervescent solution containing a completely dissolved active agent. It also relates to the method by which the therapeutic effervescent compositions may be prepared.

PCT Patent Publication no. 2012/035454 relates to a process of preparation of the effervescent lyophilized granulate composition. The process includes mixing biopesticide and milk, lyophilization process and preparing the effervescent granules upon mixing acid and carbonate salt.

The preparation of effervescent composition containing a water-insoluble active ingredient gives rise to particular problems which are due especially to the fact that the water-insoluble constituents of the composition, such as the active ingredient and insoluble adjuvants, have to be ground very finely in order to ensure that, when the composition has disintegrated in water, the particles have good suspension properties and a homogeneous suspension is formed.

However, since the flow properties of a powder mixture deteriorate as the particle size decreases, problems frequently occur when such finely ground mixtures are formed into tablets, and these problems increase further as the content of active ingredient increases. Such problems are, for example, lamination and capping, poor separation of the tablets from the mould and uneven filling of the moulds.

Accordingly, the present invention is based on to provide an agricultural composition which is based on sodium bicarbonate and a solid water-soluble acidic substance and is suitable for the preparation of effervescent tablets that contain a water-insoluble fungicidal active ingredient and disintegrate rapidly in water to form a sprayable solution/suspension.

Moreover, the present invention is focussed to provide a composition of lyophilized fungi with the suitable one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition not only disintegrate rapidly, but also do not require fine grinding of the active agent and agriculturally acceptable excipients.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an effervescent composition of biofungicide wherein said biofungicide is an Entomopathogenic Fungi.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an effervescent composition of lyophilized biofungicide, wherein said composition is prepared in solid form such as powder, granules, tablet, capsules, and process of preparation thereof.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an effervescent granule comprising lyophilized fungicide which provides ease of use due to rapid dispersion of granules containing the active ingredient i.e. the biofungicide in water with the release of carbon dioxide.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide an effervescent granule comprising lyophilized fungicide, wherein additional complicated and expensive excipients are not required to be used much.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein said biofungicide is an Entomopathogenic Fungi.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide, a plant growth regulator an0064 one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide, one or more vitamins along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide, neem along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide, a plant growth regulator, one or more vitamins along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide, a plant growth regulator, neem along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide, one or more vitamins, neem along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising biofungicide, wherein the composition is in the form of effervescent tablet, capsules, granules, powder or coarse to very coarse powders.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a composition comprising biofungicide, wherein the biofungicide is present as lyophilized form.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide; a plant growth regulator; one or more vitamins; neem; effervescent agent optionally along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition is formulated as solid selected from tablet, capsules, granules, powder or coarse to very coarse powders.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide and one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition is packed within a single use blister pack, bottle, bag, carton, sachet, packet or pouch.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising a mixture of an effective amount of biofungicide; an effective amount of plant growth regulator; an effective amount of one or more vitamins; an effective amount of neem; and an effervescent agent; optionally along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients selected from the group comprising of organic acid, alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate, binders, diluents, disintegrants, lubricants, fillers, surfactants, solubilizers, glidants, anti-foaming agents, colorants/dye and/or combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising: about 10% w/w to 40% w/w of lyophilized biofungicide, optionally about 0.01% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of plant growth regulator; optionally about 0.01% w/w to 5.0% w/w of vitamin(s); optionally about 0.5% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of effervescent agent; optionally about 50% w/w to 90% w/w of neem; and optionally about 5.0% w/w to 40% w/w of one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

The details of one or more embodiments of the inventions are set forth in the description below. Other features, objects and advantages of the inventions will be apparent from the description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an effervescent composition comprising a lyophilized biofungicide along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein said biofungicide is an Entomopathogenic Fungi, and wherein said composition is safe to environment and human health.

For convenience, before further description of the present disclosure, certain terms employed in the specification, and examples are collected here. These definitions should be read in the light of the remainder of the disclosure and understood as by a person of skill in the art. The terms used herein have the meanings recognized and known to those of skill in the art, however, for convenience and completeness, particular terms and their meanings are set forth below.

The term “a”, “an” and “the” are used to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.

The terms “comprise” and “comprising” are used in the inclusive, open sense, meaning that additional elements may be included. It is not intended to be construed as “consists of only”. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of element or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of element or steps.

The term “including” is used to mean “including but not limited to”. “Including” and “including but not limited to” are used interchangeably.

The character “% w/w” used to denote the weight by total weight of the composition. All concentrations listed herein are in % w/w unless otherwise described.

The terms “composition” and “formulation” are used interchangeably throughout the application.

The term “vitamins” are used to refer to one or to more than one vitamin. Vitamins are used herein are selected from water soluble and fat-soluble vitamins or combination thereof.

The term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range by providing that a given value may be “+10%” or “-10%”.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition, wherein the composition is in the form of effervescent composition and the effervescent composition is in the form of tablet, capsules, granules, powder or coarse to very coarse powders.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising biofungicide, a plant growth regulator; vitamins; neem and an effervescent agent along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a stable composition comprising biofungicide, a plant growth regulator; vitamins; neem and an effervescent agent along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide, a plant growth regulator; vitamins; neem and an effervescent agent along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising an effective amount of biofungicide; an effective amount of plant growth regulator; an effective amount of vitamins; an effective amount of neem; and an effervescent agent, optionally with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition is formulated as solid selected from tablet, capsules, granules, powder or coarse to very coarse powders.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide, wherein the composition is packed within a single use blister pack, bottle, bag, carton, sachet, packet or pouch.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising a mixture of an effective amount of biofungicide; an effective amount of plant growth regulator; an effective amount of vitamins; an effective amount of neem; and an effervescent agent; optionally along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients selected from the group comprising of organic acid, alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate, binders, diluents, disintegrants, lubricants, fillers, surfactants, solubilizers, glidants, anti-foaming agents, colorants/dye and/or combinations thereof.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising about 10% w/w to 40% w/w of lyophilized biofungicide, about 0.01% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of plant growth regulator; about 0.01% w/w to 5.0% w/w of vitamin(s); about 0.5% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of effervescent agent; about 50% w/w to 90% w/w of neem; and about 5.0% w/w to 40% w/w of other agriculturally acceptable excipients, optionally along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising about 15% w/w to 25% w/w of lyophilized biofungicide; about 0.15% w/w to 0.50 % w/w of plant growth regulator; about 0.15% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of vitamin(s); about 0.5% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of effervescent agent; about 60% w/w to 75% w/w of neem; and about 5.0% w/w to 40% w/w of one or more agriculturally excipients.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide, wherein said lyophilized biofungicide is an Entomopathogenic Fungi selected from Lyophilized Trichoderma harzianum or T. viride.

The source of the Lyophilizer Trichoderma harzianum or Trichoderma viride is taken from ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide, a plant growth regulator; vitamins; neem and an effervescent agent along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein the one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients selected from the group comprising of organic acid, alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate, binders, diluents, disintegrants, lubricants, fillers, surfactants, solubilizers, glidants, anti-foaming agents, colorants/dye and/or combinations thereof.

In another embodiments, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein the particle size of excipients is in the range of 10µm to 150µm.

In another embodiments, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising lyophilized biofungicide with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein the composition is in the form of tablet, wherein the size of tablet is in the range of 200mg to 10gm.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising plant growth regulators, selected from the group comprising gibberellins, organic acids, auxins, salicylic acid, tea tree oil and/or combinations thereof and preferably, salicylic acid that provide resistance against many necrotic or systemic viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens. When present, a plant growth regulator may be employed in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 1%, by weight of the composition.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising vitamins, selected from the group comprising thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), folic acid (vitamin B9), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Tocopherols (vitamin E), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6), Cobalamin (vitamin B12), biotin, choline, inositol and/or combinations thereof. Preferably, the vitamins are selected from Vitamin B1 and Vitamin E and combination thereof, wherein said vitamins inhibits fungal disease in plants and act as activator of plant disease resistance. When present, vitamins may be employed in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 5%, by weight of the composition.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising neem, wherein said neem act as a carrier that possess antifungal activities. When present, a neem may be employed in an amount ranging from about 50% to about 90%, by weight of the composition.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising neem, wherein the neem is present as powder, leaf, extract or any other form of preparation obtained from the neem tree.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising effervescent agents, selected from all the conventional effervescent components such as acid component preferably consisting of citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid or of the salts thereof, such as, for example, monosodium citrate or monosodium tartrate or, the base component that consists of CO2-eliminating alkali metal bicarbonates or carbonates, such as sodium and/or potassium bicarbonate or carbonate. Preferably the effervescent agent used is sodium bicarbonate that produces carbon dioxide and helps the plants to become less acidic that prevents fungal growth. When present, effervescent agent may be employed in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 10%, by weight of the composition.

Suitable diluents/fillers include, without limitation, mineral earths, e.g. silicates, silica gels, talc, kaolins, limestone, lime, chalk, clays, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, bentonite, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide; polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch; fertilizers, e.g. ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas; products of vegetable origin, e.g. cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal, nutshell meal, neem, microcrystalline cellulose, silicified microcrystalline cellulose, sugar alcohol selected from but not limited to alditols, polyols, mannitol, meglumine, xylitol, isomalt, sorbitol, lactitol, pentitol, arabitol, ribitol, galactitol, erythritol, glycerol, and the like, Carbohydrate selected from but not limited to monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, dextrins, maltodextrin, pullulan, arabinose, dextrose, dextrates, lactose, sucrose, sucralose, saccharin, fructose, maltose, trehalose, psicose, tagatose, sorbose, sucrose fatty acid esters, and the like, dibasic calcium phosphate, tribasic calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, kaolin, calcium sulfate, and combinations thereof. When present, diluents/fillers may be employed in an amount ranging from about 10% to about 90%, by weight of the composition.

Suitable binders include, without limitation, adhesive such as Arabic gum, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), e.g., PVP K 30 or PVP K90, polyethylene glycols (PEG), e.g., PEG 4000, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, both preferably of medium to high viscosity, e.g. viscosity grades 3 or 6 cps, copovidone, maltodextrins, pregelatinized starch, cellulose and their derivatives including microcrystalline cellulose, acacia, alginic acid, tragacanth, gelatin, liquid glucose; starch and their derivatives including corn starch; hydrocolloids; sugars; ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, and hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium alginate, used either alone or combinations. When present, a binder may be employed in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 30%, by weight of the composition.

Suitable disintegrants include, without limitation, cellulose and their derivatives including low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, starch and modified starches such as corn starch, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, crosslinked CMC (Ac-Di-Sol), Sodium carboxymethyl starch ion-exchange resins, formalin-casein, used either alone or combinations thereof. When present, a disintegrant may be employed in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight of the composition.

Suitable lubricants include, without limitation, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium stearyl fumarate, calcium stearate, stearic acid, colloidal silica, sodium lauryl sulfate, aluminum or calcium silicate, stearic acid, cutina, PEG 4000-8000, talc and combinations thereof. When present, a lubricant may be employed in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of the composition.

Suitable glidants include, without limitation, colloidal silicon dioxide (e.g., Aerosil 200), magnesium trisilicate, powdered cellulose, starch, talc and combinations thereof. When present, a glidant may be employed in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5%, by weight of the composition.

Suitable anti-foaming agents are silicones, long chain alcohols, and salts of fatty acids. Suitable colorants (e.g. in red, blue, or green) are pigments of low water solubility and water-soluble dyes such as inorganic pigments, for example, iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs or metal phthalo-cyanine dyestuffs, and trace elements, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

Suitable surfactants include, without limitation, anionic, cationic, non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants or those known to the person skilled in the art. Suitable surface active include, without limitation, sodium docusate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium stearyl fumarate, Tweens® and Spans (PEO modified sorbitan monoesters and fatty acid sorbitan esters), polyoxyethylene polypropyleneglycol, such as poloxamer® 124, poloxamer® 188, poloxamer® 237, poloxamer® 388, poloxamer® 407, polyoxyethylene castor oil derivatives, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ethers, polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters poly(ethylene oxide)-polypropylene oxide-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers (Pluronics); complexing agents such as low molecular weight polyvinyl pyrrolidone and low molecular weight hydroxypropyl methylcellulose; molecules that aid solubility by molecular entrapment such as cyclodextrins.

Suitable solubilizers includes, without limitation, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene (POE-POP) block copolymers, cyclodextrins (e.g., (3-cyclodextrin, y-cyclodextrin), cyclodextrin derivatives (e.g., sulfobutyl or hydroxypropyl ethers), bile acids, bile acid derivatives, sterol derivatives, alcohols, particularly, fatty alcohols and fatty alcohol derivatives, acids, particularly fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives and tocol derivatives. More preferably, the solubilizers are polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene (POE-POP) block copolymers, cyclodextrins, cyclodextrin derivatives, fatty acid derivatives and tocol derivatives.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide and plant growth regulator, wherein the weight ratio of biofungicide to plant growth regulator is 90:1 to 1:90.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide and one or more vitamins, wherein the weight ratio of biofungicide to one or more vitamins is 40:1 to 1:40.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising biofungicide and neem, wherein the weight ratio of biofungicide to neem is 5:0.5 to 0.1:0.01.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising about 20% w/w of lyophilized biofungicide, about 0.25% w/w of plant growth regulator, about 0.75% of one or more vitamins along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising about 20% w/w of lyophilized biofungicide, about 0.25% w/w of plant growth regulator, about 69% w/w of neem along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a composition comprising about 20% w/w of lyophilized biofungicide, about 0.75% of one or more vitamins, about 69% w/w of neem along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

In another embodiment, the microorganism i.e. the biofungicides of present invention are lyophilized. The lyophilization is a special drying and preservation technique that utilizes a process called sublimation for drying the substance. Removal of the water in frozen substances in the state of water vapor under reduced atmospheric pressure is obtained via sublimation. In lyophilization technique, the water within the products is frozen in the very beginning of the drying process and water is removed from within the product via sublimation.

It was observed that the lyophilization method reduces deformation on the inner and outer structure of the biofungicides, and hence storage requiring special conditions is not needed and the substances are allowed to be preserved in their initial states.

The effervescent composition according to the invention is distinguished by rapid dissolution in water (dissolution time at 24° C, 20 seconds to 3 minutes). Preferably, the disintegration time in water is less than 120 seconds.

In another embodiment, the composition of the present invention is prepared by adding a water-insoluble substance capable of binding water to a mixture comprising biofungicide and sodium carbonate, stirring the resulting mixture with vitamins and neem, and then granulating the residue.

In another embodiment, the effervescent composition of the present invention is prepared by the process comprising (i) mixing lyophilized biofungicide with one or more effervescent agent to form blend A; (ii) mixing plant growth regulator, one or more vitamins, neem and one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients to form blend B; (iii) combining the blend A and B to form mixture; (iv) converting the mixture obtained in step (iii) in to final solid form.

In another embodiment, the composition of present invention is formulated as granules wherein the granule size is 20-500 microns.

As per the present invention, the granules are optionally punched to tablets or are filled in capsules.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition of biofungicide with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients, wherein said one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients is preferably selected from binder such as Arabic gum.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides an effervescent composition comprising a mixture of about 20% w/w of lyophilized Trichoderma harzianum, about 0.25%w/w of salicylic acid, about 0.25% w/w of thiamine, about 0.5% w/w of tocopherols, about 69% w/w of neem, about 0.5% w/w of sodium bicarbonate and about 9.5% w/w of Arabic gum.

In another embodiment, the powdery biofungicide, contains 1×109 to 1×1012 conidia per one gram of the fungicide.

The compositions according to the invention are particularly important in the control of a multitude of phytopathogenic fungi on various cultivated plants, such as cereals, e. g. wheat, rye, barley, triticale, oats 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, almonds, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries; leguminous plants, such as lentils, peas, alfalfa or soybeans; oil plants, such as rape, 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 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, 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; and on the plant propagation material, such as seeds, and the crop material of these plants.

Preferably the compositions of the present invention are used for controlling a multitude of fungi on field crops, such as potatoes sugar beets, tobacco, wheat, rye, barley, oats, rice, corn, cotton, soybeans, rape, legumes, sunflowers, coffee or sugar cane; fruits; vines; ornamentals; or vegetables, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, beans or squashes.

The invention is now illustrated in more detail below with reference to an example.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 - Composition comprising Biofungicide
Ingredients % w/w
Lyophilized Trichoderma harzianum 20
Salicylic acid 0.25
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 0.25
Vitamin E (Tocopherols) 0.5
Neem 69
Sodium bicarbonate 0.5
Arabic gum 9.5

Process:
The ready-to-press granules comprising a composition comprising the steps of:
(i) taking Lyophilized Trichoderma harzianum and mixing with sodium bicarbonate to obtain a mixer;
(ii) mixing the obtained mixer in step (i) with salicylic acid, neem, and Arabic gum followed by mixing with vitamins under stirring to obtain a powder mixture;
(iii) grounding the resulting powder mixture to granules of 20-30 microns;
(iv) resulting granulate can be used directly for the preparation of effervescent tablets without further treatment.

Example 2- Composition comprising Biofungicide

Composition % w/w
Lyophilized Trichoderma viride (IIHR Tv-5) 60
Talc 15
Salicylic acid 2
Vitamin B Complex 2.5
Vitamin D 2.5
Sodium bicarbonate 10
Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone / PVP K-30 (Binder) 8

Process:
The ready-to-press granules comprising a composition comprising the steps of:
(i) taking Lyophilized Trichoderma harzianum and mixing with sodium bicarbonate to obtain a mixer;
(ii) mixing the obtained mixer in step (i) with salicylic acid, neem and Arabic gum followed by mixing with vitamins under stirring to obtain a powder mixture;
(iii) grounding the resulting powder mixture to granules of 20-30 microns;
(iv) resulting granulate can be used directly for the preparation of effervescent tablets without further treatment.

RESULTS
The granules, which have good flow properties, are then compressed in a conventional tablet-forming device under pressure to form tablets. It is observed that the tablets have good mechanical strength and the disintegration time in water at 24oC is from 20 seconds to 35 seconds. The resulting suspension is directly sprayable without further treatment.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. An effervescent composition comprising biofungicide, a plant growth regulator, and one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

2. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the biofungicide is present as lyophilized form.

3. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said composition further comprises one or more vitamins; neem; and effervescent agent optionally along with one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

4. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition comprising:
- about 10% w/w to 40% w/w of lyophilized biofungicide;
- about 0.01% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of plant growth regulator;
- about 0.01% w/w to 5.0% w/w of vitamin(s);
- about 0.5% w/w to 1.0 % w/w of effervescent agent;
- about 50% w/w to 90% w/w of neem; and
- about 5.0% w/w to 40% w/w of one or more agriculturally acceptable excipients.

5. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein said lyophilized biofungicide is an Entomopathogenic Fungi selected from Lyophilized Trichoderma harzianum.

6. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plant growth regulator is selected from the group of gibberellins, organic acids, auxins, salicylic acid, tea tree oil and combinations thereof.

7. An effervescent composition comprising:
- about 20% w/w of lyophilized Trichoderma harzianum;
- about 0.25%w/w of salicylic acid;
- about 0.25% w/w of thiamine;
- about 0.5% w/w of tocopherols;
- about 69% w/w of neem;
- about 0.5% w/w of sodium bicarbonate; and
- about 9.5% w/w of Arabic gum.

8. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said biofungicide contains 1×109 to 1×1012 conidia per one gram of the fungicide.

9. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition is formulated in the form of solid selected from tablets, capsules, granules, powder, or coarse to very coarse powders.

10. The effervescent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said composition is formulated in the form of granules of 20-30 microns, wherein said granules are optionally pressed to tablets or filled in capsules.

Dated 04th Day of June, 2024
For Mankind Agritech Private Limited

Dr. Anil Kumar

Chief Scientific Officer