DESC:
Technical field
The present invention relates to a novel stable eco-friendly liquid agricultural composition. In particular, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising a multisite inorganic fungicide and one or more dispersants selected from a protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant. In particular, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising sulphur and one or more dispersants selected from a protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant. The present disclosure further relates to a method of producing the said composition and uses thereof.

Background
The global population is exploding at an exponential rate and is anticipated to reach approximately 9.7 billion by 2050, the largest share of which is in Africa and Asia. Contemporary agriculture is therefore facing intensified pressure of meeting food demands, which requires more resources for crop production to accommodate the growing population. Additionally, the environment and agricultural ecosystems are becoming increasingly burdened and vulnerable due to rapid reduction in availability of arable land due to industrialization, degeneration and deterioration of soil health, explosion of nutrient mining, pest infestation, contamination of water resources (resulting in scarcity), aggregation of chemicals in the soils, and climate change effects like drought, heat waves, and flooding. Consequently, for many reasons, including those mentioned above, there is a dire need to sustainably transform and optimize the productivity of agricultural practices by reducing the number of applications of various fertilizers and pesticides, reducing the burden on the environment by reducing introduction of new chemicals into the soil and crops, and despite that increase the yield of crops. Use of natural alternatives such as manure and organic-based treatments, including biopesticides, could facilitate enhanced agricultural productivity and help meet the requirements for food and supplies. Biopesticides, which are pest management agents based on living microorganisms or natural products, offer a great promise in controlling yield loss without compromising the quality of the product.
By harnessing the power derived from nature, growers can see numerous benefits as enumerated below:
- improved soil health and associated nutrient availability, uptake, and plant use efficiency,
- accelerated, vigorous and uniform crop emergence,
- robust vegetative development, structure, and photosynthesis,
- uniform, enhanced and earlier flowering with improved pollination, grain/fruit/tuber/boll set and retention,
- uniform and improved harvest quality and shelf life,
- increased net marketable yield and grower profitability.

Biopesticides are derived from natural materials such as plants, animals, bacteria, or certain mineral bearing sources. Sulphur is an example of such a biopesticide which naturally occurs in the earth, is a completely organic option that won’t harm the environment, will break down and re-join the natural sulphur cycle of the earth. Sulphur contributes to increase in the natural defence mechanisms of plants against the action of fungi due to autonomous generation of essential amino acids such as cysteine, cystine or methionine.
However, sulphur is difficult to formulate into a composition either alone or in combination. Problems associated with sulphur compositions include formation of unsightly residue on ornamentals, maintenance of composition integrity at low temperature, and proclivity for bacterial growth. When used in higher concentrations, sulphur containing compositions also suffer from physical stability related issues by virtue of the relatively high density of sulphur and its tendency to settle down when in liquid form. Known compositions of granular sulphur also suffer from deficiencies of high sulphur toxicity, residue formation, instability, and difficulty to employ in the field and increase in phytotoxicity. Since particulate sulphur settles down in liquid compositions, it requires a dispersion system to be dispersed in liquid. Thus, there remains a need to develop an alternative liquid composition of multisite inorganic fungicides, especially in the form of sulphur, which is stable over long periods of time, facilitates uniform distribution of sulphur in the composition and target crop, does not deteriorate under severe storage conditions, is less phytotoxic to plants and is more effective than conventional compositions.

Object of the invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and effective fungicidal composition which is stable, non-toxic, and has enhanced active penetration properties with respective to the fungicidal actives.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel and effective liquid fungicidal composition that has superior absorption, penetration, rain fastness, anti-staining and spreading properties which render the composition as most efficacious and a superior fungicidal composition.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a composition comprising at least one fungicide along with bio-based efficacy enhancing agents/adjuvants.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a composition comprising at least one fungicide and a natural or naturally occurring ingredient.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an eco-friendly agricultural composition comprising a multisite inorganic fungicide in combination with a protein-based dispersant and/ or polysaccharide-based dispersant that exhibits higher rain fastness and low phytotoxicity.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a liquid composition comprising one or more multisite inorganic fungicides and a protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant, and additionally one or more other agriculturally suitable excipients.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a liquid composition comprising one or more multisite inorganic fungicides and a protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant, at least one non-ionic and/or anionic surfactant, and additionally one or more other agriculturally suitable excipients.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a suspension concentrate comprising sulphur and collagen, and additionally one or more other agriculturally suitable excipients.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a suspension concentrate comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and additionally one or more other agriculturally acceptable excipients.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for the treatment of fungal infection in a host plant with said composition.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a process of preparation of a liquid composition comprising one or more multisite inorganic fungicides and a protein-based dispersant.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a process of preparation of a liquid composition comprising one or more multisite inorganic fungicides and a polysaccharide-based dispersant.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a process of preparation of a liquid composition comprising one or more multisite inorganic fungicides and a polysaccharide-based dispersant selected from at least one cellulose-based dispersant.

Summary of the invention
In an aspect, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising at least one multisite fungicide and a dispersant.
In an aspect, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising at least one multisite inorganic fungicide and a dispersant.
In an aspect, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide; and
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant.
In an aspect, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide; and
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant.

In an aspect, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide; and
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant.
In an aspect, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.
In an aspect, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof.
In an aspect, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of an at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant;
iii) at least one non-ionic and/or anionic surfactant; and
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.
In an aspect, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) at least one additional fungicide.
In an embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is selected from collagen, casein, albumin, polyamino acids, hemoglobin, gelatin, gelatin derivatives, and combinations thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is collagen.
In an embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is selected from gum Arabic, carrageenan, gellan gum, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and combinations thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) collagen.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising sulphur and collagen.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising sulphur and collagen in a weight ratio ranging from about 1:100 to about 100:1.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of sulphur;
ii) collagen; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant selected from at least one cellulose-based dispersant.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in a weight ratio ranging from about 2000:1 to about 1:2000.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) at least protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant in an amount ranging from about 0.05% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.
In a preferred embodiment, the composition is a suspension concentrate.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a sulphur-based fungicide and at least one protein-based dispersant, said process comprising adding a protein-based dispersant to a sulphur-based fungicide.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a multisite inorganic fungicide and at least one protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant, said process comprising:
a) charging and stirring a diluent and the protein-based dispersant and/or the polysaccharide-based dispersant into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding the multisite inorganic fungicide to the mixture of diluent and protein-based dispersant and/or polysaccharide-based dispersant of step a) and mixing to obtain a homogenous slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step c) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry of desired particle size,
d) homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) to obtain the final composition.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a sulphur-based fungicide and at least one protein-based dispersant, said process comprising:
a) charging and stirring a diluent into a clean and dry reactor,
b) adding a protein-based dispersant to the diluent of step a) and mixing to obtain a solution,
c) adding the sulphur-based fungicide to the resultant solution of step b) and mixing to form a homogenous slurry,
d) subjecting the slurry of step c) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry of desired particle size,
e) transferring the milled slurry of step d) to a separate reactor to obtain the final composition.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process of preparing a suspension concentrate comprising a sulphur-based fungicide and a polysaccharide-based dispersant, said process comprising:
a) charging a diluent and the polysaccharide-based dispersant into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding the sulphur-based fungicide to the mixture of diluent and polysaccharide-based dispersant of step a) and mixing to obtain a slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry,
d) homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) to obtain the final suspension concentrate.
In another aspect the present invention provides a method of treating a fungal infection, said method comprising treatment with a composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and wherein the multisite inorganic fungicide is selected from a copper-based fungicide and a sulphur-based fungicide.
In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a kit. The kit comprises a plurality of components comprising at least one of the ingredients of the fungicidal composition of the present disclosure.

Detailed description of the invention
For the purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of materials/ingredients used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about". The term "about" used to qualify the amounts of active components shall be interpreted to mean "approximately" or "reasonably close to" and any statistically insignificant variations therefrom.
The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.
In any aspect or embodiment described hereinbelow, the term “comprising” may be replaced by the phrases “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of”. In these aspects or embodiments, the combination or composition described includes or comprises or consists of or consists essentially of or consists substantially of the specific components recited therein, to the exclusion of other ingredients or excipients not specifically recited therein.
The phrase ‘effective amount’ refers to an amount of a pesticide, herein a fungicide, that kills or inhibits the phytopathogenic disease for which control is desired, in an amount not significantly toxic to the plant being treated. It specifically refers to use of a multisite inorganic fungicide in a concentration ranging from about 0.5 g/L to about 15,000 g/L.
The term ‘disease control’ as used herein denotes control, eradication, inhibition and prevention of a disease. Controlling effects include all deviation from natural development, for example: killing, retardation, inhibition or decrease of the fungal disease.
The term “plants” refers to all physical parts of a plant, including seeds, seedlings, roots, tubers, stems, stalks, panicle/ flowers, and foliage.
The term “locus” of a plant as used herein is intended to embrace the place on which the plants are growing, where the plant propagation materials of the plants are sown or where the plant propagation materials of the plants will be placed into the soil or a medium. The term refers to a location where control of fungal disease is desired.
The term “plant propagation material” is understood to denote generative parts of a plant, such as seeds, vegetative material such as cuttings or tubers, roots, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes and parts of plants, germinated plants and young plants which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from the soil. These young plants may be protected before transplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion.
The term “agriculturally acceptable amount of active” refers to an amount of an active that kills or inhibits the plant disease for which control is desired, in an amount not significantly toxic to the plant being treated.
As used herein, the term “% disease severity” refers to the percentage decay observed in the crops in terms of the percentage of relevant host tissues covered by lesions or damaged by the disease in crops. Severity results from the number and size of the lesions. The % severity indicates the extent of damage caused by the disease.
As used herein, the term “% disease control” refers to the % control and prevention of a disease in crops.
The term “g ai/L” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” present “per litre” of the composition or combination. The term “g ai/h” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “grams” applied “per hectare” of the crop field. The term “L/ha” as used herein denotes the concentration of the respective active ingredient in “litres” applied “per hectare” of the crop field.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Each of the aspects described above may have one or more embodiments.
Each of the embodiments described hereinafter may apply to one or all the aspects described hereinabove. These embodiments are intended to be read as being preferred features of one or all the aspects described hereinabove. Each of the embodiments described hereinafter applies to each of the aspects described hereinabove individually.
The headings and abstract of the disclosure provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Because conventional single-site fungicides attack only one metabolic pathway within a pathogen, it becomes easier for the pathogen to evolve a workaround by undergoing a single gene mutation. In contrast to single-site fungicides, multisite fungicides such as sulphur keep pathogens guessing by attacking multiple proteins and enzymes and risk of resistance to these fungicides is low. Sulphur also acts as a bio-stimulant to enhance nutrition efficiency, abiotic stress tolerance and/or crop quality traits. Further, there is also a need for agricultural products that rely on synthetic actives and adjuvants to a lesser extent and instead use those derived from natural or from sources that are certified as organic. Keeping the above in mind, the present inventors have ingeniously developed a fungicidal composition that overcomes the disadvantages associated with single-site fungicides, conventional sulphur comprising compositions and traditional synthetic adjuvants. The composition of the present disclosure comprises a multisite inorganic fungicide and at least one dispersant selected from a protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant.
It was surprisingly determined by the inventors that collagen or a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose when combined with sulphur exhibited unexpected synergistic effect, demonstrates excellent suspensibility, stability, dispersibility in water and soil moisture, and thereby provides excellent field efficacy. Specifically, the present composition tackles sulphur related stability issues by improving physical stability at low temperatures, reducing settling of sulphur, and minimizing bacterial growth. Furthermore, the use of OMRI certified adjuvants/ ingredients ensures the absence of compounds such as 1,4-Dimethylnaphthalene which are present as impurities in traditional synthetic adjuvants.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising one or more multisite fungicides.
As used herein, the term “multisite fungicide” refers to a fungicide which acts at multiple target sites in the metabolism of a target pathogen.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising at least one multisite fungicide.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite fungicide; and
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant.

In an embodiment, the multisite fungicides are selected from the group comprising inorganic fungicides, dithiocarbamates, phthalimides, chloronitriles, sulfamides, bis-guanidines, triazines, quinones, quinoxalines, maleimide and thiocarbamates.

In another embodiment, suitable multisite inorganic fungicides can be selected from copper-based fungicides, sulphur-based fungicides, salts, and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the copper-based fungicide is copper or a copper salt selected from copper sulphate, tribasic copper sulphate, dibasic copper sulphate, copper oxychloride, copper chloride, copper oxide, cupric oxide, copper nitrate, copper perchlorate, copper bromide, copper hydroxide, copper iodide, cupric acetate, or copper sulphate pentahydrate.

In a preferred embodiment, the copper salt is tribasic copper sulphate.

In an embodiment, the copper salt is copper sulphate.

In an embodiment, the sulphur-based fungicide is sulphur.

In an embodiment, sulphur is present in the form of elemental sulphur, lime sulphur, allotropic forms of sulphur, or its complexed forms such as salts, derivatives, or compounds of sulphur with oxidation states such as -2, +4, and +6.

In a preferred embodiment, the multisite fungicide is a multisite inorganic fungicide. In an embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is sulphur-based fungicide, preferably sulphur.

In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a dithiocarbamate fungicide selected from the group comprising amobam, ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zinc thiazole, zineb and ziram.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a phthalimide fungicide selected from the group comprising captan, captafol and folpet.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be chlorothalonil.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a sulfamide fungicide selected from dichlofluanid and tolylfluanid.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a bis-guanidine fungicide selected from guazatine and iminoctadine.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a triazine fungicide such as anilazine.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a quinone fungicide such as dithianon.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a quinoxaline fungicide selected from chinomethionat or quinomethionate.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a maleimide fungicide such as fluoroimide.
In an embodiment, one of the multisite fungicides of the present invention may be a thiocarbamate fungicide such as methasulfocarb.
In a preferred embodiment, the multisite fungicide is sulphur.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide; and
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant.

In a preferred embodiment, said agricultural composition is a fungicidal composition.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide; and
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide; and
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of at least one multisite inorganic fungicide; and
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.

Protein-based dispersants used in the invention are derived from proteins, amino acids or peptides and are usually cationic in nature. In an embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is selected from collagen, casein, albumin, polyamino acids, hemoglobin, gelatin, gelatin derivatives, and combinations thereof. Amongst those mentioned above, collagen is preferred as the protein-based dispersant. Addition of protein-based dispersants additionally confer biostimulant properties to the resulting compositions described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is collagen.

In an embodiment, the present inventors have found that the combination of a multisite inorganic fungicide and a protein-based dispersant provided a synergistic efficacy as a fungicide.

Polysaccharide-based dispersants used in the invention are derived from polysaccharides and are usually anionic in nature. In an embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is selected from gum Arabic, carrageenan, gellan gum, starch, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, microfibrillated cellulose, combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and combinations thereof. A combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is the preferred protein-based dispersant. Additionally, the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose not only promotes compatibility with other crop protection agents but also confers the composition with enhanced rainfastness, thereby improving binding and absorption without exhibiting any staining.

In an embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is selected from microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, or combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide selected from a copper-based fungicide and a sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) collagen.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) collagen.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising sulphur and collagen.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) collagen; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) collagen;
iii) at least one non-ionic and/or anionic surfactant; and
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 1:100 to about 100:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 1:50 to about 50:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 1:25 to about 25:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 1:1 to about 25:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 5:1 to about 25:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 5:1 to about 17:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 8:1 to about 15:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant ranges from about 10:1 to about 13:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to protein-based dispersant is 12:1.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 1:100 to about 100:1. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 1:50 to about 50:1. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 1:25 to about 25:1. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 1:1 to about 25:1. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 5:1 to about 25:1. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 5:1 to about 17:1. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 8:1 to about 15:1. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 10:1 to about 13:1. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen, wherein sulphur to collagen are present in a weight ratio of about 12:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 2000:1 to about 1:2000.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 1500:1 to about 1:1500.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 800:1 to about 1:800.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 100:1 to about 900:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 200:1 to about 800:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 200:1 to about 700:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 200:1 to about 600:1.
In an embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 250:1 to about 600:1.
In a preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant is about 290:1. In another preferred embodiment, the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to polysaccharide-based dispersant is about 580:1.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 2000:1 to about 1:2000. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 1500:1 to about 1:1500. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 800:1 to about 1:800. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 100:1 to about 900:1. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 200:1 to about 800:1. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 200:1 to about 700:1. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 200:1 to about 600:1. In an embodiment, the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 250:1 to about 600:1. In a preferred embodiment, sulphur and the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are preferably present in a weight ratio of about 290:1. In another preferred embodiment, sulphur and the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose are preferably present in a weight ratio of about 580:1.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) collagen;
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients; and
wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 1:100 to about 100:1.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) collagen;
iii) at least one non-ionic and/or anionic surfactant;
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients; and
wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to collagen ranges from about 1:100 to about 100:1.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide selected from a copper-based fungicide and a sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant selected from at least one cellulose-based dispersant.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant selected from at least one cellulose-based dispersant.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide selected from a copper-based fungicide and a sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) at least non-ionic and/or anionic surfactant; and
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) at least one anionic surfactant; and
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.

Non-ionic surfactants are not molecularly charged (positive or negative) and do not form ions in water. Non-limiting examples of non-ionic surfactants include polymeric surfactants such as block copolymers, random copolymers, graft copolymer and star polymers, amine ethoxylates, alkanolamides and ethoxylated alkanolamides; alkoxylated triglycerides (such as ethoxylated soybean, castor and rapeseed oils); polyethoxylate esters such as polyethoxylated sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyethoxylated sorbitol fatty acid esters and polyethoxylated glycerol fatty acid esters; alkylphenol alkoxylates (e.g., octyl- (such as the Tritonpropylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof); amine ethoxylates, alkanolamides and ethoxylated alkanolamides; alkoxylated triglycerides (such as ethoxylated soybean, castor and rapeseed oils); alkylphenol alkoxylates (e.g., octyl- (such as the Tritonpropylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof); sugar-derivatives such as sucrose esters, alkyl polyglycosides and alkyl polysaccharides; amine ethoxylates, alkanolamides and ethoxylated alkanolamides; alkoxylated triglycerides (such as ethoxylated soybean, castor and rapeseed oils); alkylphenol alkoxylates (e.g., octyl-, nonyl-), dinonyl-, or dodecyl-)); ethoxylated fatty acids; ethoxylated fatty esters and oils; fatty acid esters, ethoxylated methyl esters; glycerol esters, lanolin-based derivatives, other sorbitan derivatives such as sorbitan esters; ethoxylated fatty acids), alkyd PEG (polyethylene glycol) resins, alkyd type copolyesters; polyethylene glycols (PEG);polyethylene glycol fatty acid esters; silicone-based surfactants; and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the non-ionic surfactant is preferably selected from polymeric surfactants such as block copolymers, random copolymers, and graft copolymer. Examples include, without limitation, EO/PO block copolymers, acrylic/styrene copolymers, methacrylic copolymers, polyhydroxy stearate derivatives, alkyd PEG resin derivatives, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the non-ionic polymeric surfactants are selected from ethylene oxide propylene oxide block co-polymer, butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer, acrylic copolymers, ABA block copolymer of poly-hydroxy-stearic acid copolymerized polyethylene glycol, and polyisobutylene succinic anhydride-polyethylene glycol.

In a preferred embodiment, the non-ionic surfactants are selected from polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, ethylene oxide propylene oxide block co-polymer, butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer, and styrene-methacrylic copolymer.

Preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is selected from polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer, or combination thereof.

Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactant include alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amido ether sulfates, alkyl aryl polyether sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl amide sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, benzene sulfonates, toluene sulfonates, xylene sulfonates, cumene sulfonates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl diphenyloxide sulfonate, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, lignosulfonate salts (sodium lignosulfonate), naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde polycondensates (sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate), alkyl sulfosuccinates, ethoxylated sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, phosphate ester, alkyl ether phosphates, acyl sarconsinates, acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, N-acyl-N-alkyltaurates, and alkyl carboxylates.

In a preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant is selected from lignosulfonate salts, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde polycondensates, and alkyl sulfates.

In a preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant is selected from sodium lignosulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate or combination thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) at least one anionic surfactant selected from sodium lignosulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate or combination thereof; and
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) a combination of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate; and
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) at least one non-ionic and anionic surfactant; and
iv) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) at least one non-ionic surfactant selected from polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer, or combination thereof;
iv) at least one anionic surfactant selected from sodium lignosulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate or combination thereof; and
v) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) a combination of polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer and butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer;
iv) a combination of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate; and
v) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients; and
wherein the weight ratio of sulphur to the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ranges from about 2000:1 to about 1:2000.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
iv) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
v) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant;
vi) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipients selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof; and
wherein the weight ratio of the multisite inorganic fungicide to the polysaccharide-based dispersant ranges from about 2000:1 to about 1:2000.

In one embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is sulphur.
In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant;
iii) at least one thickening agent; and
iv) at least one diluent.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant;
iii) at least one anti-freezing agent; and
iv) at least one diluent.

In an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant;
iii) at least one anti-freezing agent;
iv) at least one thickening agent; and
v) at least one diluent.
In a preferred embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in the composition in an effective amount.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide;
ii) collagen;
iii) at least one anti-freezing agent; and
iv) at least one diluent.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide;
ii) collagen;
iii) at least one thickening agent; and
iv) at least one diluent.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide;
ii) collagen;
iii) at least one anti-freezing agent;
iv) at least one thickening agent; and
v) at least one diluent.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and
iii) one or more agriculturally suitable excipients selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof.
In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose;
iii) at least one anti-foaming agent;
iv) at least one anti-freezing agent;
v) at least one surfactant;
vi) at least one thickening agent;
vii) at least one preservative; and
viii) at least one diluent.

In an embodiment, the surfactant is at least one non-ionic and/or anionic surfactant. In an embodiment, the surfactant is at least one non-ionic and anionic surfactant. In an embodiment, the surfactant is at least one anionic surfactant. In a preferred embodiment, at least one anionic surfactant is selected from sodium lignosulfonate, sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate or combination thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant is a combination of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate. In a preferred embodiment, at least one non-ionic surfactant selected from polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer, butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer, or combination thereof. In another preferred embodiment, the non-ionic surfactant is a combination of polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer and butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer.
In a preferred embodiment, the sulphur-based fungicide is present in the composition in an effective amount.

In an embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in an amount ranging from about 10% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in an amount ranging from about 30% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in an amount ranging from about 50% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in an amount ranging from about 55% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in an amount of about 58% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 2% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 3% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 4% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the protein-based dispersant is present in an amount of about 5% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% w/w to about 4% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.03% w/w to about 4% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% w/w to about 4% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.7% w/w to about 4% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.5% w/w to about 4% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the polysaccharide-based dispersant is present in an amount of about 0.2% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the agriculturally suitable excipient is present in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the agriculturally suitable excipient is present in an amount ranging from about 10% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the agriculturally suitable excipient is present in an amount ranging from about 20% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In yet another embodiment, the agriculturally suitable excipient is present in an amount ranging from about 30% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the agriculturally suitable excipient is present in an amount ranging from about 40% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) a multisite inorganic fungicide in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) at least protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant in an amount ranging from about 0.05% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient in an amount ranging from about 1% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur in an amount of about 58 w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) collagen in an amount of about 5% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof in an amount of about 37% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur in an amount of about 58% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in an amount of about 0.2% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof in an amount of about 42% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the compositions of the present invention may be combined, mixed, applied, or compatible with an additional agriculturally active ingredient. Said additional agriculturally active ingredient may be selected from a fungicide, an insecticide, a biostimulant, a biological, a synergist, a pheromone, an herbicide, or combinations thereof. The said mixtures may be premixed compositions or may be tank mixed at the time of application. The compositions of the present disclosure may be applied with the additional agriculturally active ingredients jointly or separately in a sequential manner, in any order.

Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) an effective amount of at least one multisite inorganic fungicide;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant; and
iii) at least one additional fungicide.

In an embodiment, the additional fungicide is selected from the group comprising morpholine fungicides, triazole fungicides, acylamino acid fungicides, anilide fungicides, antibiotic fungicides, strobilurin fungicides, aromatic fungicides, arsenical fungicides, aryl phenyl ketone fungicides, benzimidazole fungicides, benzimidazole precursor fungicides, benzothiazole fungicides, bridged diphenyl fungicides, carbamate fungicides, conazole fungicides, copper fungicides, dicarboximide fungicides, dinitrophenol fungicides, dithiocarbamate fungicides, dithiolane fungicides, hydrazide fungicides, imidazole fungicides, inorganic fungicides, organophosphorus fungicides, organotin fungicides, oxathiin fungicides, oxazole fungicides, pyrimidine fungicides, pyrrole fungicides, quinoline fungicides, quinone fungicides, quinoxaline fungicides, thiadiazole fungicides, thiazole fungicides, thiazolidine fungicides, thiocarbamate fungicides, thiophene fungicides, triazine fungicides, triazolopyrimidine fungicides, urea fungicides, zinc fungicides, unclassified fungicides and mixtures thereof.
In an embodiment, the additional fungicide is a systemic fungicide. As used herein, the term “systemic fungicide” refers to a fungicide which is absorbed by the foliage and roots and translocated upward internally by the plant through the xylem.
In an embodiment, the systemic fungicides which are particularly suitable for use in a composition according to the present invention belong to the following groups: acylalanines (metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M), benzimidazoles (benomyl, carbendazim, thiabandazole or thiophanate methyl), oxanthiins (carboxin or oxycarboxyn), organophosphates (fosetyl-Al), pyrimidines (dimethirimol, ethirimol, bupirimate, fenarimol, cyprodinil or nuarimol), triazoles (-conazoles or imidazoles—such as triadimefon, bitertanol, difenoconazole, propiconazole, myclobutanil, cyproconazole, prochloraze, bromuconazole, epoxiconazole, metconazole or tebuconazole), strobilurins (QoI fungicides, azoxystrobin, trifloxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, dimoxystrobin or kresoxim methyl), triazolinthiones (prothioconazole), succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides (benzovindiflupyr, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fluaxapyroxad, fluopyram, isopyrazam, penthiopyrador sedaxane), piperidines (fenpropidin), organochlorine (chlorothalonil), morpholine analogue fungicides (fenpropimorph, fenpropidin or amorolfine), sulphur fungicide, or a combination of any thereof.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition comprising one or more multisite inorganic fungicides for controlling phytopathogenic fungi.

In an embodiment, the agricultural composition of the invention has a particle size distribution (D50) and (D90) of less than about 15 microns. In an embodiment, the agricultural composition of the invention has a particle size distribution (D50) and (D90) of less than about 10 microns. In an embodiment, the agricultural composition of the invention has a particle size distribution (D50) and (D90) ranging from about 1 to 9 microns.

In an embodiment, the compositions of the present invention may typically be produced by mixing the actives in the composition with an inert carrier, and adding surfactants and other adjuvants and carriers as needed and formulated into solid, or liquid compositions, including but not limited to wettable powders, granules, dusts, soluble (liquid) concentrates, suspension concentrates, oil in water emulsion, water in oil emulsion, emulsifiable concentrates, capsule suspensions, ZC compositions, oil dispersions or other known composition types. The composition may also be used for treatment of a plant propagation material such as seeds etc.
In an embodiment the composition may further comprise one or more anti-freezing agent, wetting agents, fillers, surfactants, anticaking agents, pH-regulating agents, preservatives, biocides, anti-foaming agents, colorants, and other formulation aids. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is possible to utilize additional agriculturally suitable excipients without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Examples of the surfactant include anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfate ester salts, alkylaryl sulfonate salts, dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts, polyoxyethylene alkylaryl ether phosphate ester salts, lignosulfonate salts and naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde polycondensates; and non-ionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylpolyoxypropylene block copolymers and sorbitan fatty acid esters and cationic surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium salts. In one embodiment, the surfactant is present in a concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 15% w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant is present in a concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 10% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the anti-freezing agent is selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol. Preferably, the anti-freezing agent used in the composition is glycerin. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-freezing agent in the composition is propylene glycol. In one embodiment, the anti-freezing agent is present in a concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 20% w/w based on the total weight of the composition and preferably in a concentration range of 5% w/w to 15% w/w based on the total weight of the composition.

Additionally, anti-foaming agents or defoamers are employed to stop any unwanted foam generated while manufacturing highly concentrated liquid dispersion composition. The preferred anti-foaming agent is selected from the group of silicone-based compounds, alcohols, glycol ethers, mineral spirits, and acetylene diols. Silicone-based compounds such as polysiloxanes, organosiloxanes, siloxane glycols, reaction products of silicon dioxide and organosiloxane polymer, and polydimethylsiloxanes are preferred anti-foaming agents used in the composition. In one embodiment, the anti-foaming agent is present in a concentration range of 0.01% w/w to 1% w/w based on the total weight of the composition and preferably in a concentration range of 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w based on the total weight of the composition.
In an embodiment, the thickening agent can be selected from the group comprising of xanthan gum, carboxy methyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl propyl cellulose. Preferably, the thickening agent used in the composition is xanthan gum. In one embodiment, the thickening agent is present in a concentration range of 0.01% w/w to 2% w/w based on the total weight of the composition and preferably in a concentration range of 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w based on the total weight of the composition.
In another embodiment, the preservative is selected from benzisothiazolinone, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, glutaraldehyde, chloromethyl isothiazolinone (CMIT)/ methylisothiazolinone (MIT), 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropioamide, citric acid monohydrate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, cinnamaldehyde, lactic acid, tea tree oil, sea buckthorn oil, benzene alcohol, copper oxychloride and 2-phenoxy ethanol, natamycin and nisin, bronopol/ CMIT/ MIT. In one embodiment, the preservative is present in a concentration range of 0.01% w/w to 3% w/w based on the total weight of the composition and preferably in a concentration range of 0.1% w/w to 1.5% w/w based on the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment of the present invention, water is used as a natural carrier/diluent to dilute the active ingredient to a desired concentration. The water used is purified water and selected from the group consisting of demineralized water and distilled water. In one embodiment, the water is present in a concentration range of 10% w/w to 50% w/w based on the total weight of the composition and preferably in a concentration range of 20% w/w to 40% w/w based on the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition is a suspension concentrate.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide in an amount ranging from 1% w/w to 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or polysaccharide-based dispersant in an amount ranging from 0.05% w/w to 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iii) at least one anti-foaming agent in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 1% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iv) at least one anti-freezing agent in an amount ranging from 0.1% w/w to 20% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
v) at least one surfactant in an amount ranging from 0.1% w/w to 15% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
vi) at least one thickening agent in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 2% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
vii) at least one preservative in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 3% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
viii) at least one diluent in an amount ranging from 10% w/w to 50% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide in an amount ranging from 1% w/w to 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant in an amount ranging from 0.1% w/w to 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iii) at least one anti-freezing agent in an amount ranging from 0.1% w/w to 20% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iv) at least one thickening agent in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 2% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
v) at least one diluent in an amount ranging from 10% w/w to 50% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a suspension concentrate comprising:
i) sulphur in an amount of 58% w/w of the total weight of the suspension concentrate;
ii) collagen in an amount of 5% w/w of the total weight of the suspension concentrate;
iii) glycerin in an amount of 10% w/w of the total weight of the suspension concentrate;
iv) xanthan gum in an amount of 0.2% w/w of the total weight of the suspension concentrate;
v) water in an amount of 26.8% w/w of the total weight of the suspension concentrate; and
wherein the sulphur and collagen are present in a weight ratio of 8:1 to 15:1.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide in an amount ranging from 1% w/w to 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 1% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iii) at least one anti-foaming agent in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 1% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iv) at least one anti-freezing agent in an amount ranging from 0.1% w/w to 20% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
v) at least one surfactant in an amount ranging from 0.1% w/w to 15% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
vi) at least one thickening agent in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 2% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
vii) at least one preservative in an amount ranging from 0.01% w/w to 3% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
viii) at least one diluent in an amount ranging from 10% w/w to 50% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a suspension concentrate comprising:
i) sulphur in an amount of 58% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in an amount of 0.2% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iii) at least one anti-foaming agent in an amount of 0.07% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iv) a combination of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate in an amount of 3.5% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
v) xanthan gum in an amount of 0.12% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
vi) citric acid monohydrate, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in an amount of 1.2% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
vii) water in an amount of 37% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an agricultural composition comprising:
i) sulphur in an amount ranging of 58% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
ii) a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in an amount of 0.1% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iii) at least one anti-foaming agent in an amount of 0.07% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
iv) propylene glycol in an amount of 9 % w/w of the total weight of the composition;
v) a combination of polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer and butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer in an amount of 1% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
vi) a combination of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate in an amount of 3.5% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
vii) xanthan gum in an amount of 3% w/w of the total weight of the composition;
viii) citric acid monohydrate, potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate in an amount of 1.2% w/w of the total weight of the composition; and
ix) water in an amount of 24 % w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises sulphur in an amount ranging from about 20 % w/w to about 60 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises sulphur in an amount ranging from about 30 % w/w to about 60 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises sulphur in an amount ranging from about 50 % w/w to about 60 % w/w of the total weight of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises sulphur in about 58 % w/w of the total weight of the composition.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a sulphur-based fungicide and at least one protein-based dispersant, said process comprising adding a protein-based dispersant to a sulphur-based fungicide.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a multisite inorganic fungicide and at least one protein-based dispersant and/or polysaccharide-based dispersant comprises:
a) charging and stirring a diluent and the protein-based dispersant and/or the polysaccharide-based dispersant into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding the multisite inorganic fungicide to the mixture of diluent and protein-based dispersant and/or polysaccharide-based dispersant of step a) and mixing to obtain a homogenous slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry of desired particle size,
d) homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) to obtain the final composition.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a sulphur-based fungicide and at least one protein-based dispersant, said process comprising:
a) charging and stirring a diluent into a clean and dry reactor,
b) adding a protein-based dispersant to the diluent of step a) and mixing to obtain a solution,
c) adding the sulphur-based fungicide to the resultant solution of step b) and mixing to form a homogenous slurry,
d) subjecting the slurry of step c) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry of desired particle size,
e) transferring the milled slurry of step d) to a separate reactor to obtain the final composition.

In one embodiment, an anti-freezing agent is added to the protein-based dispersant and diluent of step b).

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a process of preparing a suspension concentrate comprising sulphur and collagen, said process comprising adding collagen to sulphur.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a process of preparing a suspension concentrate comprising sulphur and collagen, said process comprising:
a) charging and stirring water into a clean and dry reactor,
b) adding collagen to the water of step a) and mixing to obtain a solution,
c) adding sulphur to the resultant solution of step b) and mixing to form a homogenous slurry,
d) subjecting the slurry of step c) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry of desired particle size,
e) transferring the milled slurry of step d) to a separate reactor to obtain the final suspension concentrate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, said final composition is a suspension concentrate.
In an embodiment, the milled slurry of step d) has a D50 in the range of 1-10 microns. In an embodiment, the milled slurry of step d) has a D50 in the range of 3-8 microns. In an embodiment, the milled slurry of step d) has a D50 of less than about 5 microns.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a sulphur-based fungicide and a polysaccharide-based dispersant, said process comprising:
a) charging a diluent and the polysaccharide-based dispersant into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding the sulphur-based fungicide to the mixture of diluent polysaccharide-based dispersant of step a) and mixing to obtain a slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry,
d) homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) to obtain the final composition.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a process of preparing a suspension concentrate comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose comprising:
a) charging water and the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding sulphur to the mixture of water and combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose of step a) and mixing to obtain a slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry,
d) homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) to obtain the final suspension concentrate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a process of preparing an agricultural composition comprising a multisite inorganic fungicide and a polysaccharide-based dispersant comprises:
a) charging a diluent and the polysaccharide-based dispersant into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding the multisite inorganic fungicide, an anti-foaming agent, at least one anti-freezing agent, at least one preservative, at least one surfactant to the mixture of diluent and polysaccharide-based dispersant of step a) and mixing to obtain a slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry,
d) mixing the diluent and a thickening agent to form pre-hydrated thickening agent,
e) mixing and homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) and the pre-hydrated thickening agent of step d) to obtain the final composition.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a process of preparing a suspension concentrate comprising a sulphur-based fungicide and a polysaccharide-based dispersant comprises:
a) charging a diluent and the polysaccharide-based dispersant into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding the sulphur-based fungicide, an anti-foaming agent, at least one anti-freezing agent, at least one preservative, at least one non-ionic and/or anionic surfactant to the mixture of diluent and polysaccharide-based dispersant of step a) and mixing to obtain a slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry,
d) mixing the diluent and a thickening agent to form pre-hydrated thickening agent,
e) mixing and homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) and the pre-hydrated thickening agent of step d) to obtain the final suspension concentrate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a process of preparing a suspension concentrate comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose comprises:
a) charging water and the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding sulphur, an anti-foaming agent, propylene glycol, citric acid monohydrate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, a combination of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, to the mixture of water, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose of step a) and mixing to obtain a slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry,
d) mixing the water and xanthan gum to form pre-hydrated xanthan gum solution,
e) mixing and homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) and the pre-hydrated xanthan gum solution of step d) to obtain the final suspension concentrate.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a process of preparing a suspension concentrate comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose comprises:
a) charging water and the combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding sulphur, an anti-foaming agent, propylene glycol, citric acid monohydrate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, a combination of sodium lignosulfonate and sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, a combination of polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer and butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer, to the mixture of water, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose of step a) and mixing to obtain a slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry,
d) mixing the water and xanthan gum to form pre-hydrated xanthan gum solution,
e) mixing and homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) and the pre-hydrated xanthan gum solution of step d) to obtain the final suspension concentrate.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a fungal infection, said method comprising treatment with a composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide selected from a copper-based fungicide and a sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) at least one dispersant selected from a protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant.
In another aspect the present invention provides a method of treating a fungal infection, said method comprising treatment with a composition comprising:
i) at least one sulphur-based fungicide; and
ii) at least one polysaccharide-based dispersant.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method of treating a fungal infection, said method comprising treatment with a composition comprising sulphur and collagen.
In another aspect the present invention provides a method of treating a fungal infection, said method comprising treatment with a composition comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
The composition of the present invention maybe applied simultaneously as a tank mix or a composition or may be applied sequentially. The application may be made to the soil before emergence of the plants, either pre-planting or post-planting. The application may be made as a foliar spray at different timings during crop development, with either one or two applications early or late post-emergence. The compositions according to the invention can be applied before or after infection of the useful plants or the plant propagation material thereof by the fungi.
In an embodiment, the present method for controlling fungal phytopathogens comprises applying a composition comprising sulphur to a plant, plant part, locus, or a plant propagation material.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling fungal phytopathogens comprising applying a composition of sulphur to a plant part, locus, or plant propagation material at an application rate ranging from 1 L/ha to 12 L/ha.
In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method for controlling fungal phytopathogens comprising applying a composition comprising a sulphur to a plant, plant part, locus, or plant propagation material, wherein the concentration of the sulphur ranges from 1 g/L to 1000 g/L. The concentration of sulphur in the composition ranges from 200 g/L to 1000 g/L. The concentration of sulphur in the composition ranges from 400 g/L to 1000 g/L. The concentration of sulphur in the composition ranges from 600 g/L to 1000 g/L. The concentration of sulphur in the composition ranges from 700 g/L to 900 g/L. The concentration of sulphur in the composition is 825 g/L.
The present composition can be used on agricultural land such as fields, paddies, lawns, and orchards, or on non-agricultural land. The present invention can be used to control diseases on agricultural land to grow the plants without any phytotoxicity to the plant.
Examples of crops to which the present compositions could be applied include, but are not limited to, corn, rice, wheat, barley, rye, triticale, oat, sorghum, cotton, soybean, peanut, buckwheat, sugar beet, rapeseed, sunflower, sugar cane, tobacco, eggplant, tomato, sweet pepper, pepper, potato, cucumber, squash, zucchini, watermelon, melon, squash, radish, white radish, horseradish, cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, chives, onions, garlic and asparagus, carrots, parsley, celery, parsnip, spinach, turnip, mint, basil, strawberry, sweet potato, yellow yam, Colocasia, flowers, foliage plants, grasses, fruits, apple, pear, quince, peach, plum, nectarine, cherry, apricot, prunes, orange, lemon, lime, swede, chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, cashews, macadamia nuts, blueberries, cranberries, blackcurrant, redcurrant, blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries, table and wine grapes, persimmons, olives, plums, bananas, oil palms, coffee, date palms, coconuts, tea, mulberry, flowering plants, ash, birch, eucalyptus, ginkgo biloba, lilac, maple, poplar, plane tree, fir wood, hemlock, juniper, and pine.
In an embodiment, the method of present invention provides effective controlling of fungal pathogens such that, the method can be applied at pre or post emergence of the fungal diseases, thereby providing resistance management and complete control of the fungal pathogens.
In an embodiment, the method of present invention provides a method for effective control of fungal pathogens such that, the method can be applied at the pre-harvest stage or post-harvest stage of crops.
In an embodiment, the composition of the present invention can be combined with at least one additional agricultural component/ pesticide. Examples of such pesticides include but are not limited to herbicides, fungicides, miticides, larvicides, avicides, insecticides, nematicides and rodenticides.
In an embodiment, the present method for controlling the growth of fungal pathogens is extended for use as an eco-friendly wide spectrum product against pests.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a kit is provided, said kit comprises a plurality of components, each of which includes at least one of the ingredients of the disclosed fungicide composition.
The composition of the present invention may be provided as a pre-mix composition or a kit of parts such that individual actives/ ingredients may be mixed before spraying. Alternatively, the kit of parts may contain at least one multisite inorganic fungicide comprising a sulphur-based fungicide, protein-based dispersant and/ or polysaccharide-based dispersant, and other excipients pre-mixed and an optional second active which may be admixed with an adjuvant such that the two components may be tank mixed before spraying.
In an embodiment, the present invention provides a kit comprising a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and collagen. In an embodiment, the present invention provides a kit comprising a fungicidal composition comprising sulphur and a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
It will be understood that the specification and examples are illustrative but not limiting of the present disclosure and that other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the disclosure will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Other embodiments can be practiced that are also within the scope of the present disclosure. The following examples illustrate the disclosure, but by no means intend to limit the scope of the claims.
Examples
Example 1
Table 1: A composition of Sulphur 825 g/L suspension concentrate
Ingredient Content (%w/w)
Sulphur technical 58
Collagen 5
Glycerin 11.2
Water Q.S.
Total 100

Preparation of Sulphur 825 g/L suspension concentrate
Water was charged into a clean and dry reactor while stirring continuously. 11.2% w/w glycerin and 5% w/w collagen were admixed with the water to obtain a solution. The resultant solution was sent to quality control to check the clarity and ensure that surface tension of the solution was not more than 25 dynes/cm. 58% w/w Sulphur technical was added to the above solution and mixed to form a homogenous slurry. The slurry was subject to bead milling to obtain a final suspension concentrate composition having a particle size of not more than 5 microns.

Example 2
Table 2: A composition of Sulphur 825 g/L suspension concentrate
Ingredient Content (% w/w)
Sulphur technical 57.59
Combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 0.2
Xanthan gum 0.19
Sodium lignosulfonate 2.5
Sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate 1
Citric acid monohydrate 1.2
Water Q.S.
Total 100

Preparation of Sulphur 825 g/L suspension concentrate
Water and 0.2 %w/w of a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose were charged into a vessel and mixed while 57.59 %w/w sulphur, 2.5 %w/w sodium lignosulfonate, 1 %w/w sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, 1.2 %w/w citric acid monohydrate were added and homogenized to form a slurry. The slurry was subject to bead milling to form a milled slurry. 2 %w/w xanthan gum and 98 %w/w water were mixed to form pre-hydrated xanthan gum. 0.19%w/w pre-hydrated xanthan gum and the milled slurry were mixed and homogenized to obtain the final suspension concentrate.

Example 3
Table 3: A composition of Sulphur 825 g/L suspension concentrate
Ingredient Content (% w/w)
Sulphur technical 57.50
Combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose 0.1
Xanthan gum 3
Sodium lignosulfonate 3
Sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate 0.5
Citric acid monohydrate 1.2
Polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer 0.665
Butyl ethylene oxide propylene oxide block copolymer 0.335
Propylene glycol 9
Water Q.S.
Total 100

Preparation of Sulphur 825 g/L suspension concentrate
Water and 0.1 %w/w of a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose were charged into a vessel and mixed while 57.50 %w/w sulphur, 3 %w/w sodium lignosulfonate, 0.5 %w/w sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, 1.2 %w/w citric acid monohydrate were added and homogenized to form a slurry. The slurry was subject to bead milling to form a milled slurry. 0.06 %w/w xanthan gum and 99.94 %w/w water were mixed to form pre-hydrated xanthan gum. 3%w/w pre-hydrated xanthan gum and the milled slurry were mixed and homogenized to obtain the final suspension concentrate.
Table 4: A 12-month storage assessment was done to assess the physical and chemical properties of composition of example 2.
Sr. No. Parameters 0 Day 6 Month 12 Month Observations
1 Appearance Tan coloured homogeneous liquid Tan coloured homogeneous liquid Tan coloured homogeneous liquid Equivalent results throughout the year
2 Active content of sulphur (g/L) 827.6 827.0 825.5 Minimal technical degradation observed
3 Suspensibility (%w/w) 94.2 92.9 91.9 Minimum deviation from original values. All samples could be easily dispersed/ suspended on shaking.
4 Spontaneity of Dispersion (% w/w) 101 99.29 98.5
5 Density at 25°C (g/mL) 1.46 1.4585 1.4595 Remained stable
6 pH (1% aqueous dispersion) 5.6 5.85 6.2 Remained stable
7 Wet Sieve (% w/w material retained on 75 µ test sieve) 0 0 0.01 Remained stable
8 Particle Size D50 (in Micron) 1.45 1.42 1.39 Remained stable
Particle Size D90 (in Micron) 5.16 4.95 4.86 Remained stable
9 Viscosity (cP) spindle no. 63 and 60 RPM 1340 1455 1518
10 Persistent foam in ml after 1 Minute Nil Nil Nil Remained stable
11 Separation No Separation No significant separation No significant separation Significant separation not observed
12 Sediment No Sediment No Sediment No significant sedimentation Significant sedimentation not observed

Table 5: A 2-week storage assessment was done to assess the physical and chemical properties of composition of example 3.
Sr. No. No. Parameters 0 Day 14 days AHS Observations
1 Appearance Tan coloured homogeneous liquid Tan coloured liquid having slight sediment at top and bottom. Remained stable
2 Active content of sulphur (g/L) 833.19 832.1 Minimal technical degradation observed
3 Suspensibility (%w/w) 94.49 93.73 Minimum deviation from original values. All samples could be easily dispersed/ suspended on shaking.
4 Spontaneity of dispersion (% w/w) 101 100
5 Density at 25°C (g/mL) 1.4574 1.458 Remained stable
6 pH (1% aqueous dispersion) 6.8 6.71 Remained stable
7 Wet Sieve (% w/w material retained on 75 µ test sieve) 0 0 Remained stable
8 Particle Size D50 (in Micron) 2.19 2.32 Remained stable
Particle Size D90 (in Micron) 6.31 6.45 Remained stable
9 Viscosity (cP) spindle no. 63 and 60 RPM 648.1 634.5 Remained stable
10 Persistent foam in ml after 1 Minute 46 40 Remained stable
11 Separation -- no significant separation Significant separation not observed
12 Sediment -- no significant sedimentation Significant sedimentation not observed

As indicated in Tables 4 and 5, it could be concluded that the composition of the present disclosure is stable over a period of 12 months.
Example 4 Comparative example (without cellulose):
Water was charged into a vessel and mixed while 57.59% w/w sulphur, 0.5% w/w polyoxyethylene (10) tridecyl ether, 2.5 %w/w sodium naphthalene sulfonate formaldehyde condensate, 0.25% w/w 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one and 0.15% w/w silica were added and homogenized to form a slurry. The slurry was subject to bead milling to form a milled slurry. 0.2 %w/w xanthan gum and 98 %w/w water were mixed to form pre-hydrated xanthan gum. 0.19%w/w pre-hydrated xanthan gum and the milled slurry were mixed and homogenized to obtain the comparative suspension concentrate.

A 2-week storage assessment was done to assess the suspensibility and spontaneity of dispersion of the composition of example 2 vis-à-vis the comparative example 4.

Example 4 Example 2
0 day 14 days AHS 2 days – 10 °C 0 day 14 days AHS 2 days – 10 °C
Suspensibility 86 87 88 92 93 93

The above table demonstrates that the example according to the invention (example 2) shows superior suspensibility in comparison to the comparative formulation prepared without polysaccharide-based dispersant and said suspensibility is attributed to the use of polysaccharide-based dispersant.
,CLAIMS:
1) An agricultural composition comprising:
i) at least one multisite inorganic fungicide,
ii) at least one protein-based dispersant and/or a polysaccharide-based dispersant, and
iii) additionally one or more agriculturally suitable excipient.

2) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multisite inorganic fungicide and protein-based dispersant are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 1:100 to about 100:1.

3) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multisite inorganic fungicide and polysaccharide-based dispersant are present in a weight ratio ranging from about 2000:1 to about 1:2000.

4) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the agriculturally suitable excipients are selected from an anti-foaming agent, an anti-freezing agent, a surfactant, a thickening agent, a preservative, a diluent, and combinations thereof.

5) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multisite inorganic fungicide is present in an amount of about 1% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

6) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the protein-based dispersant and/ or a polysaccharide-based dispersant are present in an amount of about 0.05% w/w to about 8% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

7) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the agriculturally suitable excipient is present in an amount of about 1% w/w to about 60% w/w of the total weight of the composition.

8) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multisite inorganic fungicide is selected from copper-based fungicides, sulphur-based fungicides, or combination thereof.

9) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multisite inorganic fungicide is sulphur.

10) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protein-based dispersant is collagen.

11) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polysaccharide-based dispersant is selected from microcrystalline cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, or a combination of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

12) A process of preparing an agricultural composition as claimed in claim 1, said process comprising:
a) charging and stirring a diluent and the protein-based dispersant and/or the polysaccharide-based dispersant into a vessel and mixing for complete absorption and forming a mixture,
b) adding the multisite inorganic fungicide to the mixture of diluent and protein-based dispersant and/or polysaccharide-based dispersant of step a) and mixing to obtain a homogenous slurry,
c) subjecting the slurry of step b) to bead milling to obtain a milled slurry of desired particle size,
d) homogenizing the milled slurry of step c) to obtain the final composition.

13) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is a suspension concentrate.

14) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentration of multisite inorganic fungicide in the composition ranges from 600 g/L to 1000 g/L.

15) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the particle size distribution (D50) and (D90) of the composition is less than 15 microns.