DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a synergistic composition for seed treatment and more particularly to the composition comprising at least one substituted neonicotinoid compound and one or more fungicidally active compounds.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One typical problem arising in the field of pest control lies in the need to reduce the dosage rates of the active ingredient in order to reduce or avoid un-favourable environmental or toxicological effects whilst still allowing effective pest control. Another problem encountered concerns the need to have available fungicidal/insecticidal agents which are effective against a broad spectrum of pests. There also exists the need for pesticidal agents that combine knock-down activity with prolonged control, that is, fast action with long lasting action.
A further problem arising with the use of pesticides is that the repeated and exclusive application of an individual compound often leads to a rapid selection of harmful target organisms which have developed natural or adapted resistance against the active compound in question. Normally, such pests are also cross-resistant against other active ingredients having the same mode of action. An effective control of the pathogens with said active compounds is then not possible anymore. However, active ingredients having new mechanisms of action are difficult and expensive to develop.
Another problem underlying the present invention is the desire for compositions that improve plants, a process which is commonly and hereinafter referred to as "plant health". The term "plant health" comprises various sorts of improvements of plants that are not connected to the control of pests. For example, advantageous properties that may be mentioned are improved crop characteristics including: emergence, crop yields, protein content, oil content, starch content, more developed root system (improved root growth), improved stress tolerance (e.g. against drought, heat, salt, UV, water, cold), reduced ethylene (reduced production and/or inhibition of reception), tillering increase, increase in plant height, bigger leaf blade, less dead basal leaves, stronger tillers, greener leaf colour, pigment content, photosynthetic activity, less input needed (such as fertilizers or water), less seeds needed, more productive tillers, earlier flowering, early grain maturity, less plant verse (lodging), increased shoot growth, enhanced plant vigour, increased plant stand and early and better germination; or any other advantages familiar to a person skilled in the art.
Using seed treatments has become increasingly popular in commercial agriculture. Seed treatments have proven to be a convenient method to battle early season insects and diseases and promote early season growth. Their advanced low-use-rate chemistries are appealing to farmers who are trying to avoid applying excessive chemicals on their crops. Having "stronger" seeds means that more seeds produce a plant. In addition, some seed treatments also improve planting characteristics, handling and flowability. Used correctly, seed treatments can often improve yield and quality, provide peace of mind and produce a solid return on investment. The benefits of seed treatment are as follows:
• Increased germination
• Ensures uniform seedling emergence,
• Protect seeds or seedlings from early season diseases and insect pests improving crop emergence and its growth.
• Use of plant growth hormones may enhance crop performance during the growing season.
• Rhizobium inoculation enhances the nitrogen fixing capability of legume crops, and their productivity.
• Improved plant population and thus higher productivity.
It is always of high-interest in agriculture to use novel pesticidal mixtures showing a broader scope of activity and a fungicide or insecticide synergistic effect in order to notably avoid or to control the development of resistant strains to the active ingredients or to the mixtures of known active ingredients used by the farmer while minimising the doses of chemical products spread in the environment and reducing the cost of the treatment.
Combination of Carboxin and Thiram is known in the art, as well as its use as fungicide. US 20080269174 A1 generically disclosed numerous mixtures of some insecticide compounds with known fungicide substances.
WO1994010845 A2 discloses compositions comprising carboxin and thiram with microbicidal biocontrol strain of the species Pseudomonas fluorescens and their use in agriculture.
There are many reports on resistance of different diseases/pests for different chemicals/combinations. For example, US 20100136664 A1, provided the resistance of carboxin in Ustilago maydis. Also a previous report indicated that insertion of the carboxin resistance (cbx R) gene into the Ustilago maydis genome impaired the pathogenic ability of the fungus towards Zea mays, the corn host, and that carboxin resistance did not significantly alter pathogenicity and was therefore a suitable marker for use in genetic analysis of U. maydis (Current Microbiology, Volume 44, Number, 2002, pp. 67-70). U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,775 provided fungicide-resistant strains of the mushroom Agaricus bisporus.
It has now been found, surprisingly, that an active ingredient mixture not only brings about the additive enhancement of the spectrum of action with respect to the phytopathogen to be controlled that was in principle to be expected but achieves a synergistic effect which extends the range of action of the component (A) and of the component (B and C) in two ways. Firstly, the rates of application of the component (A) and of the component (B and C) are lowered whilst the action remains equally good. Secondly, the active ingredient mixture still achieves a high degree of phytopathogen control even where the two individual components have become totally ineffective in such a low application rate range. This allows, on the one hand, a substantial broadening of the spectrum of phytopathogens that can be controlled and, on the other hand, increased safety in use.
Chloronicotinyl insecticide compound (Neonicotinoid; Imidacloprid) IUPAC Name (E)-1-(6-chloro-3-pyridylmethyl)-N-nitroimidazolidin-2-ylideneamine (Molecular formula: C9H10CIN5O2; Molecular weight: 255.7) was reported to be an insecticide by A. Elbert et al., Proc. Br. Crop Prot Cof. –Pest Dis., 1990, 1, 21. It was introduce in the year 1991 and has since became the most widely used insecticide in the world. Its structure depicted in FAO manual is as follows:

Imidacloprid is a systematic insecticide which acts as an insect neurotoxin and belongs to a class of chemicals called the Chloronicotinyl insecticide compounds (Neonicotinoids) which act on the central nervous system of insects. The chemicals work by interfering with the transmission of stimuli in the insect nervous system. Specifically, it causes a blockage in the nicotinergic neuronal pathway. This blockage leads to the accumulation of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter, resulting in the insect’s paralysis and eventually death. It is effective on contact and via stomach action via translaminar activity. It is readily taken up by the plant and further distributed acropetally with good root-systemic action.
Imidacloprid can be applied by soil injection, tree injection, application to the skin of the plant, broadcast foliar, ground application as a granular or liquid formulation or as a pesticide– coated seed treatment. It is widely used for control of various soil borne insect pests like soil beetles, weevils, wireworms, grubs, early sucking pests etc. in agriculture.
Carboxin (IUPAC name: 5,6-dihydro-2-methyl-1,4-oxathi-ine-3-carboxanilide; Molecular formula: C12H13NO2S, Molecular weight: 235.3) is a systemic agricultural fungicide and seed treatment agent, belongs to oxathiincarboxamide group. It comprises two crystalline structures having melting points of 91.5-92.5 and 98-100°C, which in solution turn identical. The structure depicted in FAO manual is as follows:

Solubility in water (0.147 g/l, 200C), acetone 221.2, methanol 89.33, ethyl acetate 107.7 (all in g/l, 200C). Commercial product contains 98% of active ingredient (a. i.). It is stable to hydrolysis at pH 5, pH 7 and pH 9 (250C). Carboxin is exposed to light in aqueous solutions. DT50 is 1.54 h (pH 7, 250C). Carboxin is a low toxic substance with acute oral LD50 for rats is 2864 mg/kg in rats and acute dermal toxicity of more than 4000 mg/kg in rabbits. The product is analysed by HPLC or IR-spectroscopy. Residual quantity of carboxin is determined by quantification of aniline released after hydrolysis, using colorimetry or GLC with nitrogen-selective detector.
Carboxin is used as systemic fungicide for seed treatment against loose and covered smut. On germination of seeds, it penetrates inwards and suppresses the infection inside. It is a respiratory toxin that prevents the oxidation of succinate by inhibiting the tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme, succinate dehydrogenase (Sdh). This enzyme is composed of two subunits, a flavoprotein and an iron-sulphur protein (Ip), which together with two membrane-anchoring proteins make up succinate-quinone oxidoreductase. Carboxin migrates acropetally and protects shoots against infection with some soil pathogens. Both dimorphic varieties possess equal biological activity. Carboxin affects respiration processes, for example, by suppressing succinate oxidation to fumarate in Krebs cycle. It inhibits mitochondrial complex II
Thiram (IUPAC name: tetramethylthiuram disulphide; bis(dimethylthiocarbamoyl) disulphide, molecular formula: C6H12N2S4, molecular weight: 240.4) is a broad spectrum contact and protective fungicide for control of downy mildew variety of crops, blight, anthracnose, cereal smut and yellow seedling blight. Thiram is non-specific, multi-site fungicide which inhibits numerous enzymes in the fungus, resulting in subsequent inhibition of spore germination and mycelia growth.
Combination offers significant advantages over individual applications including improved and extended pest control, reduced active application rates and costs, shorter contact times for improved results, less stringent use restrictions, improved selectivity, improved spectrum of pest controlled, reduced cost and reduced residue problems. Thus, there exists a need in the art for a composition comprising insecticides and fungicides at a ratio which shows superior and effective control on soil borne pests along with no cross resistance of actives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention is to prepare water soluble composition comprising: one substituted Chloronicotinyl insecticide compound (Neonicotinoids) and, one or more further fungicidally active compound (s) and excipients.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising; (a) a Chloronicotinyl insecticide compound (Neonicotinoids) selected from the group consisting of acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam; (b) carboxin; (c) thiram and excipients.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition, comprising: (a) imidacloprid; (b) carboxin; (c) thiram and exciepents.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition that is useful for effectively controlling the soil borne diseases and soil & early season pests, improving the germination and enhancing the vigour/yield of the plant.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition that is non-phytotoxic.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition, wherein insecticide and fungicide (s) are in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:5.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the synergistic seed treatment composition may be formulated as dust, powder, granules, encapsulated granules, water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment, water soluble tablets, dry flowable, wettable powder and water dispersible granules.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the synergistic seed treatment composition is formulated as water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment (WS).
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the synergistic seed treatment composition further comprises excipients selected from at least one wetting agent, at least one dispersing agent, at least one binding agent, at least one thixotropic agent, at least one warning colour, at least one defoaming agent, and at least one carrier.
The synergistic seed treatment formulation of the present invention is useful in protecting a wide range of crops like wheat, maize, sorghum, cotton, legumes, vegetables etc. against major soil borne diseases and insects of plants. The composition achieves improved biological activity by enhancing overall efficacy over a shorter period of time. Additional benefits of using the combination of the present investigation includes reduced risk of occupational hazard, lower cost of application, better cost:benefit ratio to the end user, reduced fuel and labour cost and saving in applicator’s time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
For the purpose of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
It is to be noted, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing “a compound includes a mixture of two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The expression of various quantities in the terms of “% w/w” means the percentage by weight, relative to the weight of the total composition unless otherwise specified.
As used herein, DF formulation, WDG formulation, WS formulation, WP formulation, SC formulation are the international denominations adopted by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) to designate dry flowable, water dispersible granules, water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment, wettable powder and suspension concentrate, respectively.
The term "agrochemically effective amount" is that quantity of active agent, applied in any amount which will provide the required control of pest and diseases. The particular amount is dependent upon many factors including, for example, the crop, pest and disease sought to be controlled and environmental conditions. The selection of the proper quantity of active agent to be applied, however, is within the expertise of one skilled in the art.
As used herein, the terms "treating the seeds" and "seed treatment" or the like refer preferably to the application of the active compounds directly to the seeds themselves prior to planting, and/or in their immediate vicinity during planting. Most preferably the active compounds are applied directly to the seeds themselves. These terms comprise all suitable seed treatment techniques known in the art, such as seed dressing, seed dusting, seed coating, seed imbibition (e.g. seed soaking), seed foaming (e.g. covering in foam), and seed pelleting.
The seed treatment application of the active compounds may be carried out, e.g. by spraying, foaming, dusting or otherwise covering the seeds before sowing of the seeds and/or before emergence of the plants.
As used herein the term "seed" is to be broadly interpreted to include anything that can be sown and can potentially be set in place (soil) to grow a crop.
The term "seed" embraces seeds and plant propagates of all kinds including but not limited to true seeds, seed pieces, grains, suckers, corms, bulbs, fruit, tubers, cuttings, cut shoots and similar forms, and preferably means a true seeds.
Obtaining a seed treatment combination which demonstrates no cross-resistance to the existing fungicidal/pesticidal agents, no toxicity problems and little negative impact on the environment is extremely difficult. Accordingly, there is provided a novel synergistic seed treatment composition, comprising: (a) a Chloronicotinyl insecticide compound (Neonicotinoids; Imidacloprid); (b) carboxin and (c) thiram. There is also provided a synergistic composition for seed treatment, wherein the insecticide and fungicides are present in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:5. There is also provided a synergistic composition for seed treatment, wherein the synergistic seed treatment composition contains insecticide to fungicide in a ratio of 1:2.5, and the total weight of actives together is about 63% by weight of the composition. There is also provided a synergistic composition for seed treatment wherein the two fungicidal actives are present in a ratio of 1:1. In another aspect, the synergistic seed treatment composition of the present invention comprises about 18.00% by weight of imidacloprid, 22.50% by weight of carboxin and 22.50% by weight of thiram.
In another aspect of the present invention, the synergistic seed treatment composition may be formulated as dust, powder, granules, encapsulated granules, water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment, water soluble tablets, dry flowable, wettable powder and water dispersible granules. The synergistic seed treatment composition is preferably formulated as a water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment (WS).
There is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition, wherein said composition further comprises at least one wetting agent, at least one dispersing agent, at least one binding agent, at least one thixotropic agent, at least one warning colour, at least one defoaming agent, and at least one carrier.
The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrations only, since numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Unless otherwise noted, all parts, percentages, and ratios reported in the following examples are on a weight basis and all reagents used in the examples are obtained or are available from the chemical suppliers.

EXAMPLES
The following examples illustrate embodiments of the proposed invention that are presently best known. However, other embodiments can be practiced that are also within the scope of the present invention. All of the agrochemical formulations, according to the scope of the present invention and exemplified below had excellent storage stability properties.
Example 1-3: Novel synergistic seed treatment composition of Chloronicotinyl insecticide compounds (Neonicotinoids) with Carboxin and Thiram
The unit of each value below is “% w/w:, i.e., percentage weight by weight, relative to the weight of the composition unless otherwise specified. The composition tabulated in Table 1 is formulated as water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment (WS).
Table 1: Example of novel synergistic seed treatment composition of Chloronicotinyl insecticide compounds (Neonicotinoids) with Carboxin and Thiram
Component Function CAS No. Contents (%) W/W
(WS)
Examples
1 2 3
Carboxin A.I. 5234-68-4 22.50 22.50 22.50
Thiram A.I. 93196-73-7 22.50 22.50 22.50
Imidacloprid A.I. 138261-41-3 18.00 22.50 15.00
Morwet IP Wetting Agent - 2.00 2.00 2.00
Morwet D-425 Dispersing Agent - 3.00 3.00 3.00
Xanthan gum Binder 11138-66-2 3.00 3.00 3.00
Aluminum magnesium silicate Thixotropic agent 12511-31-8 0.30 0.30 0.30
Rhodamine B Warning colour 81-88-9 7.50 7.50 7.50
Silicone defoamer Defoaming agent - 1.00 1.00 1.00
Corn Starch carrier - q.s. q.s. q.s.
q.s.= quantity Sufficient
Example 4
Process for preparing novel synergistic seed treatment composition of Chloronicotinyl insecticide compounds (Neonicotinoids) with Carboxin and Thiram as a water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment (WS).
The noval fungicide composition of Example 1 is prepared by the process described hereinafter. The process of manufacturing a 100 kg batch of the synergistic seed treatment composition comprising Chloronicotinyl insecticide compounds (Neonicotinoids) with Carboxin and Thiram is provided.
The required amounts of active ingredients are transferred in a pre-blender along with Morwet IP (wetting agent), Morwet D-425 (dispersing agent), Xanthan gum (binder), Aluminum magnesium silicate (thixotropic agent), Rhodamine B (warning colour), Silicone defoamer (defoaming agent), Corn Starch (carrier) as per table 2 below and blended for one hour in a high speed blender. The mixture is then grinded by air classifier mill (ACM) or jetmill and homogenized using colloid mill and sieved (1000 micron) to remove course particles. The mixture is transferred to post blender and further blended for one hour. Subsequently, the sample is further tested for quality parameters for confirmation to the laid down specification and packed as per requirement after approval.

Table 2: Quantities of technical and raw materials charged
Component Function Quantities of raw material charged (Kg/100 kg batch)
Carboxin Technical
(Purity: 98.00% w/w) Active Ingredient 23.00
Thiram Technical
(Purity: 95.00% w/w) Active Ingredient 23.70
Imidacloprid Technical (Purity: 95.00% w/w) Active Ingredient 19.00
Morwet IP Wetting Agent 2.00
Morwet D-425 Dispersing Agent 3.00
Xanthan gum Binder 3.00
Aluminum magnesium silicate Thixotropic agent 0.30
Rhodamine B Warning Colour 7.50
Silicone defoamer Defoaming agent 1.00
Corn Starch Carrier q.s
q.s = quantity sufficient
Example 5
Comparative Evaluation of various ratios of the novel synergistic seed treatment composition of Chloronicotinyl insecticide compounds (Neonicotinoids) with Carboxin and Thiram against soil and seed borne diseases in wheat crop when applied as seed dressing
As used herein, the terms “pesticidal effect” and “pesticidal activity” mean any direct or indirect action on the target pest that results in reduced feeding damage on the seeds, roots, shoots and foliage of plants grown from treated seeds as compared to plants grown from untreated seeds. The term “active against a pest”, also has the same meaning. Such direct or indirect actions include death of the pest, repelling the pest from the plant seeds, roots, shoots and/or foliage, inhibiting feeding of the pest on, or the laying of its eggs on, the plant seeds, roots, shoots and/or foliage, and inhibiting or preventing reproduction of the pest. The term “insecticidal activity” has the same meaning as pesticidal activity, except it is limited to those instances where the pest is an insect. When the term “pesticide” is used herein, it is not meant to include pesticides that are produced by the particular seed or the plant that grows from the particular seed that is treated with the pesticide.
As used herein, the “shoots and foliage” of a plant are to be understood to be the shoots, stems, branches, leaves and other appendages of the stems and branches of the plant after the seed has sprouted, but not including the roots of the plant. It is preferable that the shoots and foliage of a plant be understood to be those non-root parts of the plant that have grown from the seed and are located a distance of at least one inch away from the seed from which they emerged (outside the region of the seed), and more preferably, to be the non-root parts of the plant that are at or above the surface of the soil. As used herein, the “region of the seed” is to be understood to be that region within about one inch of the seed.
Method and Time of Application
A seed lot from a susceptible wheat variety was used for the efficacy trial. Trial includes (i) germination and seed decay test in laboratory, (ii) seedling infection test in the greenhouse and (iii) emergence and crop performance test in field were carried out to verify the efficacy of the novel synergistic seed treatment composition against soil and seed borne pests of wheat. Treatments include (i) clean seeds as healthy check, (ii) seed first inoculated with pathogen inoculums (Helminthosporium spp, Fusarium spp., Ophiobolus spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Pythium spp., Ustilago nuda) and then treated with novel synergistic seed treatment composition, (iii) healthy seeds treated with novel synergistic seed treatment composition, (iv) inoculated seeds treated with market sample (Carboxin 37.5% and Thiram 37.5%) DS, (v) inoculated seeds treated with market sample Imidacloprid 48% FS, (vi) healthy seeds treated with market sample (Carboxin 37.5% and Thiram 37.5%) DS, (vii) healthy seeds treated with market sample Imidacloprid 48% FS, and (viii) inoculated seeds, with four replication for each.
After the seeds were prepared as per above 400 seeds per replication were tested in laboratory for germination and seed decay using noble germinator and seedling infection test in green house using plastic pots. For field trials plots of 10 m2 each replication was used, with four replications for each treatment.
Table 3 to 6 below summarizes the effect of various treatments on wheat crop.
Table 3: Effect of novel synergistic seed treatment composition on germination percentage, seed decay and seedling infection of wheat by pathogen spp. in laboratory and green house experiments.
Treatments Germination
(%)* Seed Decay
(%)* Seedling infection (%)*
Healthy Clean Seed 91.07 3.00 1.24
Healthy Clean Seed + (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid) 63% WS) @ 2 g/kg seed 98.36 1.89 0.00
Inoculated seed + (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid) 63% WS) @ 2 g/kg seed 96.24 2.24 0.00
Inoculated seed 84.28 5.68 31.04
Healthy Clean Seed + (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS) @ 3 g/kg seed 94.51 2.09 0.24
Inoculated seed + (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS) @ 3 g/kg seed 89.26 3.25 1.39
Healthy Clean Seed + Imidacloprid 48% FS @ 9 g/kg seed 92.24 2.86 0.62
Inoculated seed + Imidacloprid 48% FS @ 9 g/kg seed 87.83 4.61 2.38
SEm 0.37 0.05 0.11
CD 0.05% 1.11 0.15 0.35
SEm ±: Standard Errors of Means CD 5%: Critical Difference

Table 4: Effect of novel synergistic seed treatment composition on tiller no. and emergence (plant/m2) of wheat in field conditions
Treatments Mean Tiller (no./m2) % increase* Emergence (plant/m2) % increase*
Healthy Clean Seed 82 15.49 144 33.33
Healthy Clean Seed + (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid 63% WS) @ 2 g/kg seed 87 22.54 154 42.59
Inoculated seed + (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid 63% WS) @ 2 g/kg seed 84 18.31 142 31.48
Inoculated seed 71 0.00 108 0.00
Healthy Clean Seed + (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS) @ 3 g/kg seed 85 19.72 147 36.11
Inoculated seed + (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS) @ 3 g/kg seed 80 12.68 126 16.67
Healthy Clean Seed + Imidacloprid 48% FS @ 9 g/kg seed 86 21.13 145 34.26
Inoculated seed + Imidacloprid 48% FS @ 9 g/kg seed 82 15.49 127 17.59
SEm 0.03 - 0.02 -
CD 0.05% 0.10 - 0.07 -
SEm ±: Standard Errors of Means; CD 5%: Critical Difference
* increase against inoculated seeds

Table 5: Effect of novel synergistic seed treatment composition on Yield attributes in Wheat crop in field conditions
Treatments Yield Attributes
Plant Height (cm) Grain yield
(kg/ha) Straw yield
(kg/ha)
Healthy Clean Seed 82.46 3476 4890
Healthy Clean Seed + (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid 63% WS) @ 2 g/kg seed 82.58 3568 4963
Inoculated seed + (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid 63% WS) @ 2 g/kg seed 82.23 3521 5231
Inoculated seed 80.56 3204 4689
Healthy Clean Seed + (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS) @ 3 g/kg seed 82.03 3498 4952
Inoculated seed + (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5% DS) @ 3 g/kg seed 81.67 3449 5012
Healthy Clean Seed + Imidacloprid 48% FS @ 9 g/kg seed 81.96 3502 5123
Inoculated seed + Imidacloprid 48% FS @ 9 g/kg seed 81.54 3474 5013
SEm 0.02 15.18 36.07
CD 0.05% 0.06 46.04 109.40
SEm ±: Standard Errors of Means; CD 5%: Critical Difference

Table 6: Effect of novel synergistic seed treatment composition on the Phytotoxicity in Wheat crop
S. No. Treatments Dose (g/kg seed) Phytotoxicity (Days after emergence)
1 DAE 3 DAE 7 DAE 14 DAE 21 DAE
1 (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid) 63% WS 2 g 0 0 0 0 0
2 4 g 0 0 0 0 0
3 6 g 0 0 0 0 0
4 8 g 0 0 0 0 0
5 Control - 0 0 0 0 0
0= No Phytoxicity
The aforementioned trial results indicate that the (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid) 63% WS composition of present invention is most effective against all the target pests when applied as seed coating with complete protection against soil and seed borne pests and better crop condition i.e. fresh green leaves with green color, strength of plant is good with better growth. The results for (Carboxin + Thiram + Imidacloprid) 63% WS surpasses the observations for market samples (Carboxin 37.5% + Thiram 37.5%) DS & Imidacloprid 48% FS in both healthy clean seeds and inoculated seeds.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitations with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

CLAIMS:
1. A synergistic seed treatment composition comprising; (a) a Chloronicotinyl insecticide compound (Neonicotinoids) selected from the group consisting of acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam; (b) carboxin; (c) thiram and excipients.
2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition comprises: (a) imidacloprid; (b) carboxin; (c) thiram and excipients.
3. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 2 wherein wherein insecticide and fungicide (s) are in a ratio of 1:2 to 1:5.
4. The composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the preferred ratio of insecticide to fungicide (s) ratio is 1:2.5.
5. The composition as claimed in claims 3 to 4 wherein composition comprises fungicidal actives in a ratio of 1:1.
6. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein excipients are selected from at least one wetting agent, at least one dispersing agent, at least one binding agent, at least one thixotropic agent, at least one warning colour, at least one defoaming agent, and at least one carrier.
7. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 6 can be formulated as dust, powder, granules, encapsulated granules, water dispersible powder for slurry seed treatment, water soluble tablets, dry flowable, wettable powder and water dispersible granules.
8. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein said composition is useful in protecting a wide range of crops like wheat, maize, sorghum, cotton, legumes, vegetables etc. against major soil borne diseases and insects of plants.
9. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 7 is useful for effectively controlling the soil borne diseases and soil and early season pests, improving the germination and enhancing the vigour/yield of the plant.

10. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein said composition is non-phytotoxic.