DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to a synergistic fungicidal composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar industry. Fertile soils are required for improved plant growth. In their absence, fertilizers are often required to be utilized for agricultural crops. Various plant health/growth promoting agents are known in the art including fertilizers, biologicals as well as plant additives that can promote growth as well as improve yield of the plant.
[003] Another problem faced by the farmers since the advent of agriculture is the fungus pests resulting in a reduced crop yield, and on occasions, complete crop failure. While fungus pests have no doubt co-evolved with plants, the density and uniformity of crop plantings have provided an opportunity for infective fungi which would not have been available in the wild growth, on the same scale. Current farming practices are being greatly challenged with increasing labor shortage, water shortage, demand of high and quality yields, leaching of fertilizers and pesticides and micronutrient deficiencies in the soil etc. Over the years, there has been an overuse of fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides, and other chemicals. Thus, there is greater need today to optimize farming practices by reducing the number of applications of various fertilizers and pesticides, reduce the burden on the environment by reducing the number of chemical adjuvants and excipient being added to the soil and the crops, without affecting crop yield.
[004] It is also well-known in the field of agriculture that the optimum development of plants is dependent upon the plants being provided with the proper balance of all of the various essential nutrients. The lack of just a single essential nutrient, which perhaps is only necessary for proper growth in extremely small quantities, can lead to poor growth, deficiency symptoms and a drastic reduction in crop yield. Even though all of the other essential nutrients may be present in optimum quantities, the one nutrient which is present in a sub-optimum quantity may thus become the limiting factor, thereby seriously retarding the development of the plants.
[005] On the other hand, less is known about how the various micronutrients are to be provided so as to be available to the plants in suitable amounts, thereby securing optimum growth, while at the same time being in a form which allows them to be applied in a practical and economical manner. Thus, the lack of a practical and economical way of applying readily available micronutrients to, or example, field crops may result in the crops receiving a sub-optimum amount of certain essential micronutrients.
[006] Standard macronutrient fertilizers such as nitrogenous fertilizers or N-P-K fertilizers, often lack a number of the essential micronutrients. Although this may not present any acute, readily apparent problem since most soils contain a certain reserve of these micronutrients. However, if the soil is not replenished with these micronutrients, the result in the long run will be a depletion of the micronutrients and therefore a reduced yield. It is therefore necessary to provide the essential micronutrients on a regular basis in order to sustain optimum plant growth and maximum yields. This often presents a problem in practice, however, since it often proves difficult to apply fertilizer compositions in a form which is readily available to the plants and which also satisfies the requirement that the micronutrients must be relatively inexpensive and convenient to apply.
[007] In view of this, there is a need to develop a composition which is synergistic and while providing suitable nutrients to the soil on one hand, is also simultaneously able to provide a pesticidal control for managing various pests as well as having plant growth regulatory activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition having a carboxylic acid amide fungicide, a multi-site contact fungicide, micronutrients, and one or more fungicidal excipients.
[009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing the fungicidal composition in the form of a wettable powder. The method includes the steps of (A) blending the carboxylic acid amide fungicide with the one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture, (B) milling the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture to obtain particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture, and (C) blending the particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture with the multi-site contact fungicide, the micronutrients, and one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain the fungicidal composition in the form of a wettable powder.
[010] In still another aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing the fungicidal composition in the form of a suspension concentrate and/or water dispersible granules. The method includes the steps of (A) blending the carboxylic acid amide fungicide with the one or more fungicidal excipients, and the micronutrient to obtain the carboxylic acid amide fungicide mixture, (B) wet milling the carboxylic acid amide fungicide mixture to obtain particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide slurry having an average particle size ranging between 2 to 3 microns, (C) blending the particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide slurry with the multi-site contact fungicide and the one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain substantially homogenized slurry and (D) converting the substantially homogenized slurry into at least one form selected from water dispersible granules, suspension concentrate,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[011] The present invention is directed towards a synergistic fungicidal composition comprising necessary growth nutrients and for inhibiting or minimizing the growth of fungi that can damage the plant. Further, use of this synergistic composition reduces the number of applications of various individual fertilizer and pesticidal components thus providing a cost-effective solution.
[012] In one aspect of the present invention, the synergistic fungicidal composition comprises a carboxylic acid amide fungicide, a multi-site contact fungicide, micronutrients, and one or more fungicidal excipients.
[013] Suitable carboxylic acid amide fungicide is selected from flumorph, pyrimorph, dimethomorph, mandipropamid, benthiavalicarb, valifenalate, and iprovalicarb. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acid amide fungicide is dimethomorph.
[014] Dimethomorph is a systemic fungicide and acts as a morpholine fungicide like aldimorph, benzamorf, carbamorph, dodemorph, fenpropimorph, flumorph, tridemorph.
[015] Suitable amounts of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide in the fungicidal composition is in between 1 wt.% to 65 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the carboxylic acid amide fungicide is present in an amount in between 1 wt.% to 50 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.
[016] In another embodiment, the carboxylic acid amide fungicide is present in an amount in between 1 wt.% to 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.
[017] Suitable multi-site contact fungicides are selected from inorganic fungicide, dithiocarbamate fungicide, phthalimide fungicide, chloronitrile fungicide, sulfamide fungicide, bis-guanidine fungicide, quinone and anthra-quinone fungicide, quinoxaline fungicide, maleimide fungicide, and thiocarbamate fungicide.
[018] In one embodiment, the multi-site contact fungicide is dithiocarbamate. Suitable dithiocarbamates can be selected from amobam, asomate, azithiram, carbamorph, cufraneb, cuprobam, disulfiram, ferbam, metam, nabam, tecoram, thiram, urbacide, ziram, dazomet, etem, milneb, mancopper, mancozeb, maneb, metiram, polycarbamate, propineb and zineb. In another embodiment, the dithiocarbamate is mancozeb.
[019] Suitable inorganic fungicides can be selected from copper, sulphur, and salts thereof. For instance, copper oxychloride, copper sulfate, copper hydroxide and tribasic copper sulfate (Bordeaux mixture).
[020] Suitable phthalimide fungicides contain a phthalimide molecular moiety and can be selected from captan, captafol, and folpet.
[021] Suitable chloronitrile fungicides comprise an aromatic ring substituted with chloro- and cyano-substituents, for example chlorothalonil.
[022] Suitable sulfamide fungicides can be selected from dichlofluanid and tolylfluanid.
[023] Suitable bis-guanidine fungicides can be selected from guazatine and iminoctadine.
[024] Suitable triazines fungicide is anilazine.
[025] Suitable quinone and anthra-quinone fungicide is dithianon.
[026] Suitable quinoxaline fungicide is chinomethionat, also known as quinomethionate.
[027] Suitable maleimide fungicide is fluoroimide.
[028] Suitable thiocarbamate fungicide is methasulfocarb.
[029] Suitable amounts of the multi-site contact fungicide in the fungicidal composition is in between 10 wt.% to 80 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the multi-site contact fungicide is present in an amount in between 10 wt.% to 75 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the multi-site contact fungicide is present in an amount in between 20 wt.% to 70 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.
[030] In another embodiment, the fungicidal composition also includes micronutrients. The micronutrients are essential elements required in varying quantities throughout life to orchestrate a range of physiological functions to maintain health. Micronutrient requirements differ between organisms with plants requiring specific micronutrients. There are about seven nutrients essential to plant growth and health that are needed in very small quantities.
[031] Suitable micronutrients are selected from salts of molybdenum, cobalt, iron, boron, zinc, chlorine, copper, and magnesium. Example of salts include ammonium molybdate, ferrous sulphate heptahydrate, zinc sulphate heptahydrate, magnesium sulphate, magnesium chloride, copper sulphate, Disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, Cobaltous sulfate heptahydrate.
[032] Boron is believed to be involved in carbohydrate transport in plants; it also assists in metabolic regulation. Boron deficiency will often result in bud dieback.
[033] Chlorine is necessary for osmosis and ionic balance. Chlorine also plays a role in photosynthesis.
[034] Copper is a component of some enzymes. Symptoms of copper deficiency include browning of leaf tips and chlorosis.
[035] Iron is essential for chlorophyll synthesis, which is why an iron deficiency results in chlorosis.
[036] Manganese activates some important enzymes involved in chlorophyll formation. Manganese deficient plants will develop chlorosis between the veins of its leaves. The availability of manganese is partially dependent on soil pH.
[037] Molybdenum is essential to plant health. Molybdenum is used by plants to reduce nitrates into usable forms. Some plants use it for nitrogen fixation, thus it may need to be added to some soils before seeding legumes.
[038] Zinc participates in chlorophyll formation, and also activates many enzymes. Symptoms of zinc deficiency include chlorosis and stunted growth.
[039] Suitable amounts of the micronutrients in the fungicidal composition is in between 0.01 wt.% to 25 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the micronutrients is present in an amount in between 0.01 wt.% to 10 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the micronutrients are present in an amount in between 0.01 wt.% to 7 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.
[040] The fungicidal composition also includes one or more fungicidal excipients. Suitable fungicidal excipients are selected from suspension aids, carriers, solvents, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, wetting agent, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents, inert fillers, dispersing agents, diluents, chelating agents, surfactants, and clays.
[041] In one embodiment, the dispersing agent is at least one selected from the group sodium lignosulfonate, calcium lignosulfonate, lignin sulphonate, salts of naphthalenesulphonic acid / formaldehyde condensates, salts of polystyrene sulphonic acids, poly carboxylates polyethylene glycol ethers of linear alcohols, salts of polyvinylsulphonic acids, salts of condensates of naphthalenesulphonic acid, salts of lignosulphonic acid, EO/PO block copolymers, styrene acrylic copolymer furthermore alkyl ethoxylates and alkylarylethoxylates, ethoxylated alkylarylphosphated and sulphated ester or combinations thereof.
[042] In another embodiment, the wetting agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of salts of aliphatic monoesters of sulphuric acid including sodium lauryl sulphate, sulfoalkylamides and salts thereof , N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate Na salt, alkylarylsulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates and salts thereof and salts of ligninsulfonic acid, aryl sulfonates (such as sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate) or combinations thereof.
[043] In yet another embodiment, the preservative can be sodium benzoate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, o-phenylphenol, thiazolinones, such as benzisothiazolinone, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolinone, pentachlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.
[044] In still another embodiment, the filler and/or diluent is selected from the group consisting of starches and their derivatives, sugars and sugar alcohols, silicates, calcium phosphates, calcium sulfate, dextrates, kaolin clay, bentonite clay, attapulgite, diatomaceous earth, magnesium carbonate, polymethacrylates, talc, precipitated silica, colloidal silica, attapulgite china clay, talc, kaolin or combination thereof, preferably, precipitated silica and kaolin.
[045] In one embodiment, the antifreeze agent is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol or mixtures thereof.
[046] In one embodiment, water is used as a diluent to dilute the active ingredient to a desired concentration. The water used is purified water and selected from the group consisting of deionized water and distilled water.
[047] Suitable amounts of the one or more fungicidal excipients is known to a person skilled in the art. However, in one embodiment, the one or more fungicidal excipients present in an amount in between 1 wt.% to 80 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the one or more fungicidal excipients present in an amount in between 1 wt.% to 60 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.
[048] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the synergistic fungicidal composition comprises:
a. a carboxylic acid amide fungicide in an amount in the range of 1 wt.% to 65 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition;
b. a multi-site contact fungicide in an amount in the range of 10 wt.% to 80 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition;
c. a micronutrient in an amount in the range of 0.01 wt.% to 10 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition; and
d. one or more fungicidal acceptable excipient selected from the group comprising of suspension aids, carriers, solvents, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, wetting agent, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents, inert fillers, dispersing agents, diluents, chelating agents, surfactants, and clays in an amount in the range of 1 wt.% to 80 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.
[049] In one embodiment, the fungicidal composition is in the form of water dispersible granules, a wettable powder, capsule suspension, suspension concentrate, suspoemulsion, water dispersible powder for slurry treatment water soluble, or powder for dry seed treatment.
[050] Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention is directed towards a method of preparing the fungicidal composition in the form of a wettable powder. The method includes the steps of (A) blending the carboxylic acid amide fungicide with the one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture, (B) milling the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture to obtain particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture, and (C) blending the particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture with the multi-site contact fungicide, the micronutrients, and one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain the fungicidal composition in the form of a wettable powder.
[051] Yet another aspect of the present invention is directed towards a method of preparing the fungicidal composition in the form of a suspension concentrate and/or water dispersible granules. The method includes the steps of (A) blending the carboxylic acid amide fungicide with the one or more fungicidal excipients, and the micronutrient to obtain the carboxylic acid amide fungicide mixture, (B) wet milling the carboxylic acid amide fungicide mixture to obtain particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide slurry having an average particle size ranging between 2 to 3 microns, and (C) blending the particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide slurry with the multi-site contact fungicide and the one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain substantially homogenized slurry and (D) converting the substantially homogenized slurry into at least one form selected from water dispersible granules, suspension concentrate.
[052] The synergistic fungicidal composition of the present invention has uses for controlling Phytophthora infestans. Phytophthora infestans is an oomycete or water mold, a microorganism that causes the serious potato and tomato disease known as late blight or potato blight. (Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, is also often called "potato blight".) in many crops. The composition penetrates the leaf and is evenly distributed, which results in increased safety and increased resistance to washing. It also acts on the leaf surface as a barrier against the infection.
[053] Further, the synergistic composition may be used to control fungi and pests in potato, vine, hops, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, grapes, paddy, tomato, chilly, mango, and to a lesser extent soyabean. For optimal results, preventive application may also be carried out. Having curative activity, it can also be applied after the infection, but the treatments will be carried out in the initial or first stages of development of the fungus. The interval between treatments is adjusted according to the pressure of infection, the development of culture and climatic conditions. The fungi which are combated with the composition of the present invention include Phytophthora, Peronosporaceae, Mildew etc.
[054] Advantageously, the present invention provides a fungicidal composition that serves the dual purpose of simultaneously managing the damage caused by pests as well as meeting the fertilizer requirement in the initial stages of plant growth when compared with the individual application. The composition provides the advantages of increased nutrient uptake, increased resistance to pest and disease, improved shelf life, better crop quality and improved growth and enhanced efficacy and phytotoxic effects.
EXAMPLES
[055] The following example is illustrative of the invention but not limitative of the scope thereof:
[056] General synthesis of fungicidal composition in the form of wettable powder (WP):
[057] Several compositions in the form of a WP were prepared. For this, dimethomorph was blended with one or more excipients selected from sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate, precipitated silica and NDK clay to obtain dimethomorph powdered mixture. Thereafter, the dimethomorph powdered mixture was subjected to milling to obtain particles of the dimethomorph powdered mixture. The particles were then blended with mancozeb and optionally the one or more excipients to obtain the fungicidal composition WP.
[058] Table 1 below summarizes the different compositions prepared (including comparative and inventive both). All amounts are in g.
Table 1: Comparative and inventive fungicidal compositions
Ingredients Comp. Ex. 1 Inv. Ex. 1 Inv. Ex. 2 Inv. Ex. 3
Mancozeb Technical 73.00 73.00 71.50 67.70
Dimethomorph Technical 9.50 9.50 9.20 8.20
Alkyl naphthalene sulfonate 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Precipitated Silica 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Ammonium molybdate 0.00 0.05 0.05 0.10
NDK clay 7.50 7.45 9.25 14.00
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

[059] Several parameters of the comparative and inventive compositions were determined and have been summarized in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Parameters of comparative and inventive compositions
Parameters Comp. Ex. 1 Inv. Ex. 1 Inv. Ex. 2 Inv. Ex. 3
0 day 14D (HT) 0 day 14D (HT) 0 day 14D (HT) 0 day 14D (HT)
Suspensibility (2.5g), %w/w 83.11 79.99 83.55 80.44 82.66 80.29 83.11 79.41
Wetting out time (5 g), sec 40 25 42 32 44 30 43 27
pH (1% aq. Solution) 6.8 7 6.9 6.9 6.8 7 6.6 7
Active content analysis, %w/w

Mancozeb 61.5 60.23 61.07 60.09 60.73 59.37 57.01 56.02
Dimethomorph 9.34 9.2 9.5 9.43 8.91 8.76 7.95 7.86
Particle size distribution, µm

D10 0.731 0.763 0.75 0.792 0.777 0.881 0.776 0.854
D50 2.975 3.068 2.935 3.195 3.03 3.533 2.873 3.231
D90 14.903 15.088 16.816 14.984 16.783 16.876 14.015 17.215

[060] Other inventive fungicidal compositions were also prepared with different micronutrients and parameters tested. Table 3 below summarizes the inventive examples with different micronutrients. Table 4 summarizes the parameters tested for the fungicidal compositions with different micronutrients.

Table 3: Inventive fungicidal compositions with different micronutrients
Ingredients Inv. Ex. 4 Inv. Ex. 5 Inv. Ex. 6
Mancozeb Technical 73.00 73.00 73.00
Dimethomorph Technical 9.50 9.50 9.50
Alkyl naphthalene sulfonate 2.00 2.00 2.00
Alkyl naphthalene sulfonate condensate 4.00 4.00 4.00
Precipitated Silica 4.00 4.00 4.00
FeSO4.7H20 0.03 0.00 0.00
Boron 0.00 0.31 0.00
ZnSO4.7H20 0.00 0.00 0.04
NDK clay 7.47 7.19 7.46
Total 100.00 100.00 100.00

Table 4 Parameters tested for the inventive fungicidal compositions
Parameters Inv. Ex. 4 Inv. Ex. 5 Inv. Ex. 6
0 day 14D (HT) 0 day 14D (HT) 0 day 14D (HT)
Suspensibility (2.5g), %w/w 84.01 80 82.7 77.53 80.11 76.22
Wetting out time (5 g), sec 28 11 27 24 30 22
pH (1% aq. Solution) 7 7.1 7.4 7.5 7 7.2
Active content analysis, %w/w

Mancozeb 60.83 60.05 60.93 60.18 60.83 60.01
Dimethomorph 9.21 9.06 9.25 9.16 9.28 9.3
Particle size distribution, µm

D10 0.532 0.664 0.782 0.814 0.709 0.792
D50 2.759 3.011 2.928 3.204 2.647 3.338
D90 15.116 15.903 17.031 17.85 16.34 17.083

[061] Bio-efficacy for Inventive examples 1 to 3 and comparative example 1:

Table 5: Bio-efficacy of different treatments against Late blight of potato
Treatment Details Dose
(g a.i./ha) Dose
(g/ha) Late blight of Potato PDI (%) PDC
0 DAA 10 DA 1st Spray 10 DA 2nd Spray 10 DA 3rd Spray 10 DA 3rd Spray
Inv. Ex. 1 1200 + 180 + 1 2000 0.00 (0.00) 0.00 (0.00) 2.00 (6.56) 4.67 (12.04) 92.77
Inv. Ex. 2 1180 + 170 + 1 2000 0.00 (0.00) 0.00 (0.00) 2.67 (7.44) 7.34 (15.68) 88.65
Inv. Ex. 3 1120 + 150 + 2 2000 0.00 (0.00) 1.34 (5.43) 4.67 (12.42) 10.14 (18.57) 84.32
Comp. Ex. 1 1200 + 180 2000 0.00 (0.00) 4.67 (12.42) 30.00 (33.14) 45.34 (42.33) 29.89
Comp. Ex. 1 1500+225 2500 0.00 (0.00) 2.00 (6.56) 21.34 (27.3) 28.67 (32.36) 55.66
Comp. Ex. 1 900+135 1500 0.00 (0.00) 6.27 (14.5) 37.34 (37.64) 46.67 (43.09) 27.83
Mancozeb 75% WP 1200 1600 0.00 (0.00) 20.67 (26.54) 45.34 (42.33) 56.67 (48.84) 12.37
Dimethomorph 50% WP 180 360 0.00 (0.00) 9.74 (18.14) 35.34 (36.43) 48.67 (44.24) 24.74
Untreated - - 0.00 (0.00) 30.67 (33.63) 56.67 (48.85) 64.67 (53.58) --
SEm+ NS 2.06 2.40 1.37
CD@ 5% NS 6.19 7.40 4.09

Figures in parenthesis are arcsine transformed values.
PDI- Percent Disease Incidence
[062] In Table 5, the results presented shows that at the time of initiation of trial there was no Late blight disease in any treatment which indicates the uniformity of trial plot across all the treatments. At 10 days after first application, the highest percent disease incidence (PDI) of Late blight was recorded in control (30.67%). All the fungicide treatments significantly reduced the disease severity than untreated control, but the significant lowest Late blight disease was observed in T1 to T3, which were at par with each other.
[063] At 10 days after second application, the highest disease was recorded in control (56.67%). The significant lowest Late blight disease was observed in T1 (2.00%) on par with (T2 & T3) were significantly superior over rest of all treatments from 10 days after 2nd application.
[064] At 10 days after third application also similar trend observed as that of second application. Where, the significant lowest Late blight disease was observed in T1 (4.67%) which was on par with T2 (7.34) & superior over T3 (10.14%), T4 (45.34%), T5 (28.67%) and T6 (46.67%). The highest disease was observed in untreated control (64.67%). These treatments (T1 to T3) were significantly superior over rest of all treatments.
[065] The highest percent disease control (PDC) was recorded in treatment T1 (92.77%), followed by T2 (88.65%), T3 (84.32%) and T5 (55.66%). The lowest disease control was recorded in treatment T7 (12.37%) followed by T8 (24.74%).

Table 6: Effect of different treatments on plant height and yield of potato
Tr. No Treatment Details
Dose
(g a.i./ha) Dose Formulation
(g/ha) Plant height (cm) Yield
(t/ha)
T1 Inv. Ex. 1 1200 + 180 + 1 2000 87.33 21.73
T2 Inv. Ex. 2 1180 + 170 + 1 2000 85.00 20.00
T3 Inv. Ex. 3 1120 + 150 + 2 2000 88.67 19.40
T4 Comp. Ex. 1 1200 + 180 2000 74.67 18.73
T5 Comp. Ex. 1 1500+225 2500 78.67 19.27
T6 Comp. Ex. 1 900+135 1500 73.33 18.27
T7 Mancozeb 75% WP 1200 1600 73.67 16.67
T8 Dimethomorph 50% WP 180 360 75.00 17.13
T9 Untreated - - 71.00 13.03
CD (P = 0.05) 4.31 0.73

[066] Plant height (centimeters):
[067] As shown in Table 6, all the treatments significantly increase the plant height (cm) than Untreated Control (71.00 cm). The highest plant height was observed in treatment T3 (88.67 cm), which was on par with treatments T1 (87.33 cm), T3 (85.00 cm) followed by T5 (78.67 cm), T4 (74.67 cm), T6 (73.33 cm), T7 (73.67 cm) & T8 (75.00 cm). All test fungicide treatments (T1 to T3) were significantly superior over solo fungicide treatments (T7 to T8) and two-way combination treatments (T4 to T6) in increasing the plant height i.e., crop canopy of the plant.
[068] Yield
[069] As shown in Table 6, All the treatments significantly increase the yield than Untreated Control (13.03 t/ha). The highest yield was observed in treatment T1 (21.73 t/ha), which was significantly superior over all treatment and T2 (20.00
t/ha), T3 (19.40 t/ha) followed by T5 (19.27 t/ha), T4 (18.73 t/ha), T6 (18.27 t/ha), T7 (16.67 t/ha) & T8 (17.13 t/ha). All test fungicide treatments (T1 to T3) were significantly superior over solo fungicide treatments (T7 to T8) and two way combination treatments (T4 to T6).
Table 7: Phytotoxicity effect of different treatments on potato
Tr. No. Treatment Details
Dose *Phytotoxicity (Based on 0-10 Phytotoxicity Rating Scale)
g a.i./ha Formulation g/ha Before Spray Days after application (DAA)
1 3 5 7 10 15
T1
Inv. Ex. 1 1200 + 180 + 1 2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T2
Inv. Ex. 2 1180 + 170 + 1 2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T3
Inv. Ex. 3 1120 + 150 + 2 2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T4
Inv. Ex. 1 2400 + 360 + 2 4000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T5 Inv. Ex. 2 2360 + 340 + 2 4000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T6 Inv. Ex. 3 2240 + 300 + 4 4000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
T7 Untreated - - 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*For phototoxic symptoms- Leaf injury on tips and Leaf surface, Wilting, Vein Clearing, Necrosis, Epinasty and Hyponasty
[070] Phytotoxicity:
[071] As shown in Table 7, the three fungicide ready combinations were sprayed at doses X (2000 g/ha) and 2X (4000 g/ha) to check the phytotoxic effects like leaf injury on tips/surface, vein clearing, wilting, necrosis, hyponasty and epinasty on the Potato crop. The observations on these phytotoxicity parameters were observed on before spray and at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 15 days after application. But there was no phytotoxicity observed on Potato crop after spraying in any treatment. Even there was no adverse effect noticed on Potato crop in the field applied with fungicides combinations at highest dose of @ 4000 g/ha.
[072] As evident in Tables 5 to 7, the inventive examples 1 to 3 effectively control late blight of Potato. Among them, the inventive example 1 is highly effective.
[073] Further, the inventive examples 1 to 3 have also been found to have better efficacy over the market standards like Mancozeb 75% WP & Dimethomorph 50% WP and their two way possible ready mix combinations.
[074] The inventive fungicidal compositions produce higher yield of Potato. Moreover, there is no phytotoxicity effect of the inventive fungicidal compositions on Potato. Overall, the three-way combination of test product shows synergistic effect for controlling the diseases & increase the physiological parameters like plant height. Also, for prolonged effectiveness of fungicides which are liable to encounter resistance problems and to limit crop losses, the inventive fungicidal composition can be used effectively and safely for the management of diseases in comparison to solo Mancozeb 75% WP and Dimethomorph 50% WP and their two way possible ready mix combinations.
[075] The foregoing description of the invention has been set merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since the modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to the person skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the disclosure.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A fungicidal composition comprising:
(a) a carboxylic acid amide fungicide,
(b) a multi-site contact fungicide,
(c) micronutrients, and
(d) one or more fungicidal excipients.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fungicidal composition is in the form of water dispersible granules, a wettable powder, capsule suspension, suspension concentrate, suspoemulsion, water dispersible powder for slurry treatment water soluble, or powder for dry seed treatment.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid amide fungicide is present in an amount in between 1 wt.% to 65 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carboxylic acid amide fungicide is flumorph, pyrimorph, dimethomorph, mandipropamid, benthiavalicarb, valifenalate, and iprovalicarb.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-site contact fungicide is present in an amount in between 10 wt.% to 80 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multi-site contact fungicide is selected from inorganic fungicide, dithiocarbamate fungicide, phthalimide fungicide, chloronitrile fungicide, sulfamide fungicide, bis-guanidine fungicide, quinone and anthra-quinone fungicide, quinoxaline fungicide, maleimide fungicide, and thiocarbamate fungicide.

7. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micronutrients are present in an amount in between 0.01 wt.% to 25 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

8. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the micronutrients are selected from salts of molybdenum, cobalt, iron, boron, zinc, chlorine, copper, and magnesium.

9. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more fungicidal excipients are present in an amount in between 1 wt.% to 80 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition.

10. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fungicidal excipients are selected from suspension aids, carriers, solvents, stabilizers, anti-foaming agents, anti-freezing agents, wetting agent, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solid adherents, inert fillers, dispersing agent, diluents, chelating agents, surfactants, and clays.

11. A method of preparing the fungicidal composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims in the form of a wettable powder, the method comprising:
(A) blending the carboxylic acid amide fungicide with the one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture,
(B) milling the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture to obtain particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture, and
(C) blending the particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide powdered mixture with the multi-site contact fungicide, the micronutrients, and one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain the fungicidal composition in the form of a wettable powder.

12. A method of preparing the fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 10 in the form of a suspension concentrate or water dispersible granules, the method comprising:
(A) blending a carboxylic acid amide fungicide with one or more fungicidal excipients, and a micronutrient to obtain the carboxylic acid amide fungicide mixture,
(B) wet milling the carboxylic acid amide fungicide mixture to obtain particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide slurry having an average particle size ranging between 2 to 3 microns,
(C) blending the particles of the carboxylic acid amide fungicide slurry with the multi-site contact fungicide and the one or more fungicidal excipients to obtain substantially homogenized slurry and
(D) converting the substantially homogenized slurry into at least one form selected from water dispersible granules or suspension concentrate