Claims:1. An insecticidal suspension concentrate, said suspension concentrate comprising:
a. an active ingredient in an amount in the range of 7 mass% to 15 mass% of the total amount of said suspension concentrate;
wherein said active ingredient comprises ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil, and the mass ratio of the amount of said Indoxacarb to the amount of said Fipronil is in the range of 40:60 to 60:40;
b. at least one rainfastness agent in an amount in the range of 3 mass% to 8 mass% of the total amount of said suspension concentrate; and
c. at least one agrochemically compatible excipient.
2. The insecticidal suspension concentrate as claimed in claim 1, wherein
a. the active ingredient is in an amount of 10 mass% of the total amount of said suspension concentrate;
wherein said active ingredient comprises ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil, and the mass ratio of the amount of said Indoxacarb to the amount of said Fipronil is 50:50; and wherein
b. the at least one rainfastness agent in an amount of 5 mass% of the total amount of said suspension concentrate.
3. The suspension concentrate as claimed in claim 1, wherein said rainfastness agent is at least one selected from the group consisting of methoxy ethylene glycol ester of polymerized fatty acid, alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol, alcohol ethoxylate, silicone ethoxylate, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, alkyl polyglucoside, sodium benzene sulphonate, alkyl polyoxyethylene ether, phosphatidylcholine and combinations thereof.
4. The suspension concentrate as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said agrochemically compatible excipient comprises a base material and at least one adjuvant.
5. The suspension concentrate as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base material is selected from the group consisting of natural oil, and synthetic oil.
6. The suspension concentrate as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of anti-freezing agents, emulsifiers, surfactants, dispersants, and thickening agents.
7. The suspension concentrate as claimed in claim 6, wherein said emulsifier consists of a mixture of an anionic emulsifier and a non-ionic emulsifier having a mass ratio in the range of 0.1:10 to 10:0.1.
8. A portable insecticidal suspension concentrate kit comprising at least three containers;
a first container containing an active ingredient in an amount in the range of 7 mass% to 15 mass% of the total amount of said suspension concentrate wherein said active ingredient comprises ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil, and the mass ratio of the amount of said Indoxacarb to the amount of said Fipronil is in the range of 40:60 to 60:40;

a second container containing at least one rainfastness agent in an amount in the range of 3 mass% to 8 mass% of the total amount of said suspension concentrate; and

a third container containing at least one agrochemically compatible excipient;wherein the contents of said first container, said second container, and said third container are mixed in pre-determined quantities prior to use for obtaining said insecticidal suspension concentrate.
9. A method for achieving desired bioefficacy on an insect pest of the okra crop by using the insecticidal suspension concentrate as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the step of applying an insecticidally effective amount of said insecticidal suspension concentrate to said insect pest on said okra crop.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the amount of the insecticidal suspension concentrate applied to said okra crop is in the range from 50 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha. , Description:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an insecticidal suspension concentrate.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following words and phrases are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.
Insecticide: An insecticide is a substance or a mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying or controlling any insect, including vectors of human or animal disease, or animals causing harm or interfering with the production, processing, storage, transport or marketing of food, agricultural commodities, wood and wood products or animal feedstuffs, or substances which may be administered to animals for the control of insects, arachnids or other pests in or on their bodies. The term ‘insecticide’ remains valid even if substance(s), in addition to the above stated purpose, are intended for use in combination with a plant growth regulator, defoliant, desiccant, an agent for thinning fruit, an agent for preventing the premature fall of fruit, and substance(s) applied to crops either before or after harvest to protect them from deterioration during storage and transport.
Bioefficacy: Bioefficacy is the effect of an insecticide on insects in terms of reduction in the insect population or a reduction in the damage done by the insects or causing the mortality of targeted insects.
Rain fastness/reduced run off: Rain fastness/reduced run off is an insecticide’s ability to withstand the vagaries of rainfall and other forms of precipitation and as a result of irrigation; and is an important factor affecting the efficacy of foliar-applied insecticides.
Suspension concentrate: The term “suspension concentrate” refers to formulations comprising solid active ingredient dispersed in a liquid medium.
BACKGROUND
Foliar application of insecticides is widely used to minimize insect pest damage to the crop. Insecticidal application is highly effective, adaptable to most of the situations, rapid in curative action, flexible in meeting changing agronomic landscape and ecological conditions and relatively economical. Also, their easy availability and ease of application, makes insecticides the first choice for users. Insecticides can be classified in two major groups, namely, contact insecticides are in killing by contact action to the target organism at the site of deposition. Systemic insecticides are translocating within the plant to a site of action remote from the site of deposition. Insecticides can be broadly classified into three types: i) natural insecticides, such as nicotine, pyrethrum and neem extracts, made by plants as defenses against insects; ii) inorganic insecticides, which are metals; and iii) organic insecticides, which are organic chemical compounds, mostly working by contact. Insecticides can also be classified depending on the type of activity, i.e., systemic insecticides, which become incorporated and distributed systemically throughout the whole plant. When insects feed on the plant, they ingest the insecticide. Contact insecticides are toxic to insects upon direct contact. These can be inorganic insecticides, which are metals, such as sulfur, arsenates, copper and fluorine compounds.
Various insecticides, such as organochlorides, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, and ryanoids are available for foliar applications.
Indoxacarb is an oxadiazine pesticide that acts against lepidopteran larvae. Its main mode of action is via blocking of nerve sodium channels. It also acts by contact action.

‘S’-Indoxacarb
Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide belonging to the phenylpyrazole family. Fipronil acts by disrupting the insect central nervous system by blocking gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels and glutamate-gated chloride (GluCl) channels. This results in hyperexcitation of the contaminated insects' nerves and muscles. It is suggested that Fipronil's specificity towards insects is due to its greater affinity to the GABA receptor in insects as compared to the mammals and its effect on GluCl channels, which is not present in the mammals.

Fipronil
However, during the rainy season, the efficacy of insecticidal sprays is negatively affected due to rain-washing of the deposited residue, particularly if the rain occurs shortly after the spraying of the insecticides.
Therefore, in most cases, the end user requires some degree of assurance against washing off of the insecticidal sprays from the foliage or other treated surfaces for maintaining the bioefficacy of the applied insecticide.
Therefore, there is felt a need for an insecticidal formulation that mitigates the drawbacks mentioned hereinabove.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an insecticidal suspension concentrate.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide insecticidal suspension concentrate comprising ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an insecticidal suspension concentrate resistant to wash off.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure provides an insecticidal suspension concentrate. The suspension concentrate comprises an active ingredient, at least one rainfastness agent, and at least one agrochemically compatible excipient. The active ingredient comprises ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil, and the mass ratio of the amount of Indoxacarb to the amount of Fipronil is in the range of 40:60 to 60:40. Typically, the active ingredient is present in an amount in the range of 7 mass% to 15 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate, and the rainfastness agent is present in an amount in the range of 3 mass% to 8 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate.
The rainfastness agent can be selected from the group consisting of methoxy ethylene glycol ester of polymerized fatty acid, alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol, alcohol ethoxylate, silicone ethoxylate, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, alkyl polyglucoside, sodium benzene sulphonate, alkyl polyoxyethylene ether, phosphatidylcholine and combinations thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
During the rainy season, the efficacy of insecticidal sprays is negatively affected due to rain-washing of the deposited residue, particularly if the rain occurs shortly after the spraying of the insecticides. For maintaining the bioefficacy, it is crucial that at least 3 hours to 7 hours pass after the spray has dried on the target surface, before rain occurs. Further, the washed-off pesticides tend to pollute other non-target surfaces/ water bodies through run-off.
The end user seldom knows with certainty when it will rain. Therefore, in most cases the end user requires some degree of assurance against washing of the insecticidal sprays from the foliage or other treated surfaces for maintaining bioefficacy. Therefore, the end user searches for reduced run-off formulations that can help them to reduce the above described uncertainty in the bioefficacy.
The present disclosure therefore envisages an insecticidal suspension concentrate that exhibits rainfastness/reduced run off.
In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an insecticidal suspension concentrate. The insecticidal suspension concentrate comprises an active ingredient in an amount in the range of 7 mass% to 15 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate. The active ingredient comprises ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil, and the mass ratio of the amount of Indoxacarb to the amount of Fipronil can be in the range of 40:60 to 60:40. In an embodiment, the mass ratio of the amount of Indoxacarb to the amount of Fipronil is 50:50.
Indoxacarb is an oxadiazine pesticide. The mode of action of Indoxacarb is via blocking of the nerve sodium channels. Indoxacarb has practically no systemic insecticidal activity and is not absorbed through the roots of the plants. It is sparingly soluble in water. Therefore, its bioefficacy is highly correlated with its residue retained on the plant surface. The length of time during which Indoxacarb is susceptible to rain depends on environmental and plant factors, and on the duration and the intensity of rain.
Fipronil is an insecticide belonging to the phenylpyrazole chemical family. Fipronil is a broad-spectrum insecticide that disrupts the insect central nervous system by blocking ?-Aminobutyric acid (GABA)-gated chloride channels and glutamate-gated chloride (GluCl) channels, resulting in central nervous system toxicity. Fipronil is low to moderately soluble in water and hence, the problem of run-off is more pronounced for Fipronil. Since, Fipronil is a systemic insecticide, its bioefficacy is not affected, once it has been absorbed in the plants. However, being soluble in water, Fipronil is more susceptible to premature rinse-off, from a target due to rainfall, as compared to Indoxacarb.
The optimum amount of the active ingredients will depend upon the mode of application, the equipment used, the insect to be controlled and the nature of the crop plant for which the insect has to be controlled.
The insecticidal suspension concentrate comprises at least one rainfastness agent in an amount in the range of 3 mass% to 8 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate. Typically, the rainfastness agent is selected from the group consisting of fatty acids, alcohols, ethoxylates, silicon based ethoxylates and acrylate based emulsifiers, waxes, silica and natural oil, modified/ synthetic oil and/ or mixtures thereof. In accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, the rainfastness agent is selected from the group consisting of methoxy ethylene glycol ester of polymerized fatty acid, alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol, alcohol ethoxylate, silicone ethoxylate, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, alkyl polyglucoside, sodium benzene sulphonate, alkyl polyoxyethylene ether, phosphatidylcholine and combinations thereof. Waxes, such as paraffin wax can also be used as the rainfastness agent in the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure.
The agrochemically compatible excipients used in the insecticidal suspension concentrate (SC) comprise a base material and at least one adjuvant.
The base material is at least one selected from the group consisting of natural oil, and synthetic oil.
The oil used in the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure is selected from vegetable oils and modified vegetable oils. The amount of the oil in the insecticidal suspension concentrate is in the range of 50 % to 70% on mass basis of the total amount of the suspension concentrate.
The adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of anti-freezing agents, emulsifiers, dispersants, and thickening agents.
The anti-freezing agent is selected from glycols, and glycerin. Glycol is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and monoethylene glycol. Commercially available anti-freezing agents, that are agriculturally compatible, can also be used in the SC. The amount of the anti-freezing agent(s) in the SC is in the range of 5.0 % to 10% on mass basis of the total amount of the suspension concentrate.
The emulsifiers used in the SC, include anionic emulsifiers selected from aryl sulfonates, and non-ionic emulsifiers selected from alkyl phenyl alkolxylate. Commercially available emulsifiers that are agriculturally compatible can also be used in the SC.
Typically, the emulsifier is present as a mixture of an anionic emulsifier and a non-ionic emulsifier having a mass ratio in the range of 0.1:10 to 10:0.1.The amount of the anionic emulsifier in the SC is in the range of 5.0 % to 10 % on mass basis of the total amount of the suspension concentrate. The amount of non-ionic emulsifier in the SC is in the range of 5.0 % to 10% on mass basis of the total amount of the suspension concentrate.
Dispersants such as glycols and other commercially available dispersants that are agriculturally compatible are used in an amount ranging from 0.1 % to 3 % on mass basis of the total amount of the suspension concentrate. Glycols that can be used in the SC of the present disclosure include propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and monoethylene glycol. Thickening agents such as distearates are used in an amount ranging from 0.1 % to 0.5% on mass basis of the total amount of the suspension concentrate.
Typically, the mass ratio of the amount of the dispersants to the thickening agents in the SC of the present disclosure is in the range of 1:1 to 6:1.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the insecticidal suspension concentrate comprises an active ingredient in an amount of 10 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate, at least one rainfastness agent in an amount of 5 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate, and at least one agrochemically compatible excipient. The active ingredient comprises ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil, and the mass ratio of the amount of Indoxacarb to the amount of Fipronil is 50:50.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a portable insecticidal suspension concentrate kit comprising at least three containers. The kit comprises a first container containing an active ingredient in an amount in the range of 7 mass% to 15 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate. The active ingredient comprises ‘S’ isomer of Indoxacarb, and Fipronil, and the mass ratio of the amount of Indoxacarb to the amount of Fipronil is in the range of 40:60 to 60:40. The kit further comprises a second container containing at least one rainfastness agent in an amount in the range of 3 mass% to 8 mass% of the total amount of the suspension concentrate; and a third container containing at least one agrochemically compatible excipient.
The contents of the first container, the second container, and the third container are mixed in pre-determined quantities prior to use for obtaining the insecticidal suspension concentrate.
In still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for achieving desired bioefficacy on an insect pest of the okra crop by using the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure. The method comprises the step of applying an insecticidally effective amount of the insecticidal suspension concentrate to the insect pest on the okra crop. Typically, the insecticidal suspension concentrate is applied to the okra crop in the range of 100 g a.i./ha to 200 g a.i./ha. In one embodiment, the insecticidal suspension concentrate is applied to the okra crop in the range of 50 g a.i./ha to 100 g a.i./ha.
The present disclosure further provides a process for the preparation of the insecticidal suspension concentrate. The process includes the following steps:
Initially, an anti-freezing agent, a mixture comprising an anionic emulsifier and a non-ionic emulsifier are added to the base material (oil) with continuous stirring to form a first mixture.
The anti-freezing agent and the emulsifiers are either mixed in the base material in any order or mixed together to obtain a pre-mix or then added to the first mixture.
Finely ground active ingredients are then added to the first mixture, with continuous stirring to obtain a first slurry. Typically, the average particle size in the slurry is below 50 microns.
The first slurry is then milled in a bead mill, so as to obtain a second slurry. The average particle size in the second slurry is in the range of 1 micron to 10 microns. The milling is carried out in the temperature range of 10 oC to 60 oC, preferably 15 ?C to 40 ?C.
The rainfastness/reduced run off agent, in an amount in the range of 3 mass% to 8 % on of the total amount of the suspension concentrate is added to the second slurry, with continuous stirring to obtain a third slurry.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rainfastness/reduced run off agent is added to the first slurry.
A mixture comprising a dispersant and a thickening agent, having a mass ratio in the range of 1:1 to 6:1 is prepared. The mixture is added to the third slurry, with continuous stirring, to obtain the SC of the present disclosure.
The SC of the present disclosure comprising Indoxacarb and Fipronil and the rainfastness/reduced run off agent can be applied to crops. Use of the rainfastness/reduced run off agent prevents the washing off the insecticide and provides improved protection of crops from insect attack.
The SC prepared in accordance with the present disclosure is used as an insecticide for plants selected from the group consisting of cotton, corn, cereals (including wheat, barley, rye, and rice), vegetables (including fruiting vegetable, such as tomatoes, okra, bulb vegetables, leafy vegetables, brassicas and vegetable roots), clovers, legumes (including beans, soybeans, peas and alfalfa), sugar cane, sugar beets, tobacco, rapeseed (canola), fruits (such as bananas, cherries, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, mandarins, citrus, grapes, stone fruits), perennial crops, deciduous plants, sunflower, safflower, and sorghum.
The SC of the present disclosure has improved rainfastness as compared to the conventional formulations.
The present disclosure is further described in light of the following laboratory scale experiments which are set forth for illustration purpose only and not to be construed for limiting the scope of the disclosure. These laboratory experiments can be scaled up to industrial/commercial scale and the results obtained can be extrapolated to industrial/commercial scale.
Experimental Details:
Experiment 1: Insecticidal suspension concentrate in accordance with the present disclosure
An insecticidal suspension concentrate having the composition summarized in Table-1 was prepared in accordance with the present disclosure.
Ingredients Mass%
Indoxacarb A.I. 5.0
Fipronil A.I. 5.0
Alkyl phenyl alkoxylate (non-ionic emulsifier) 5.4
Aryl sulfonate (anionic surfactant) 6.0
At plus SS 100 (Blend of nonionic surfactant) 5.0
Glycol (anti-freezing agent + dispersant) 6.0
Disterate (thickening agent) 0.5
Modified vegetable oil (base material) 67.1
Total 100.00
Experiment 2: Rainfastness evaluation of the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure
Okra crops were grown in pots filled with dampened mixture of topsoil and farm yard manure and growth of the plants maintained under natural outdoor conditions. The insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure (experiment 1) were individually sprayed (foliar application) on the okra crops on 40th day after sowing. An application rate of 500 litres water per hectare using knapsack sprayer with hollow cone nozzle was used during the foliar application. Rainfall having 50 mm intensity was stimulated 1 hour after the application of the suspension concentrate. The effect of the rain fastness agent was determined by determining the retention of the active ingredient on the target surface and the insect count/ percent mortality in each treatment. The results obtained are summarized in Tables 2-5.
Table-2: Retention of Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% SC with and without rainfastness agent with 50 mm simulated rain in Okra
Treatments
Dose (g a.i./ha)
RFA
Retention of Fipronil and Indoxacarb After application (ug/g)
Before rain After rain
Indoxacarb Fipronil 0.5 hours Interval 1.0 hours Interval
Indoxacarb Fipronil Indoxacarb Fipronil
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 0 0.5214 0.3758 0.0612 0.0423 0.0478 0.0307
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 0 1.1254 0.9052 0.1247 0.0857 0.1145 0.0759
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 RFA 0.8214
0.7332
0.2784
0.2178
0.2058
0.1985

Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 RFA 1.6857
1.5078
0.6578
0.5347
0.6391
0.5036

RAF: Rain Fastness Agent = alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol

It is seen from Table-2 that the addition of Rainfastness agent (RAF) in the insecticidal SC assisted in the retention of the active ingredient, i.e., Fipronil and Indoxacarb after the simulation of rain with 50 mm intensity.
Table-3: Percentage Retention of Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% SC with and without rainfastness agent with 50 mm simulated rain in Okra

Treatments
Dose ( g a.i./ha)
RFA
Percentage Retention of Fipronil and Indoxacarb After application
Before rain After rain
Indoxacarb Fipronil 0.5 hours Interval 1.0 hours Interval
Indoxacarb Fipronil Indoxacarb Fipronil
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 0 0.5214 0.3758 11.73 11.25 9.16 8.16
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 0 1.1254 0.9052 11.08 9.46 10.17 8.38
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 RFA 0.8214
0.7332
33.89 29.71
25.05
27.07
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 RFA 1.6857
1.5078
39.02
35.46
37.91
33.40

RAF: Rain Fastness Agent = alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol

Similar to the results obtained in Table-2, it is also seen from Table-3 that the addition of Rainfastness agent (RAF) in the insecticidal SC assisted in the retention of the active ingredient, i.e., Fipronil and Indoxacarb after simulation of rain with 50 mm intensity.

Table-4: Influence of simulated rain on the efficacy of Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% SC with and without rain fastness agent in Okra
Treatments
Dose (g a.i./ha)
RFA
Average count of red spider mites (Tetranychus spp)/leaf Mean of red spider mites/leaf % reduction over control
1DAR 2DAR 5DAR 7DAR 10DAR
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 0 5.85 6.85 8.00 9.20 11.40 8.26 56.6
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100 + 100 0 2.60 4.45 6.85 8.15 9.80 6.37 66.6
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 RFA 3.15 2.10 2.60 3.65 10.45 4.39 77.0
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100 + 100 RFA 1.70 1.15 1.15 2.35 6.35 2.54 86.7
Untreated - - 13.17 14.20 15.45 14.07 38.35 19.05 -
DAR: Days After Rain
RAF: Rain Fastness Agent= alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol
It is clearly seen from Table-4 that the addition of rainfastness agent (RAF) assisted in the reduction of the run –off the insecticidal suspension concentrate and further increased the efficacy, even when rain occurred with an intensity of 50 mm, one hour after the application of the insecticidal SC. Further, the count of the red spider mites per leaf is significantly lower in the SC comprising the rainfastness agent, as compared to when the rainfastness agent is not used in the SC.
Table-5: Influence of simulated rain on the efficacy of Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% SC with and without rain fastness agent in Okra

Treatments Dose (g a.i./ha) RFA Average count of green leaf hopper (Amrasca devastans)/leaf Mean of Green leaf hopper/leaf % reduction over control
1DAR 2DAR 5DAR 7DAR 10DAR
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 0 2.6 1.9 3.0 3.4 3.8 2.91 54.23
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 0 1.2 1.7 1.9 2.6 4.8 2.41 62.09
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 RFA 0.2 1.9 1.8 2.2 3.6 1.92 69.80
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 RFA 0.3 0.8 1.6 1.7 2.2 1.29 79.71
Untreated Control - - 4.4 4.7 5.2 5.5 12.1 6.36
DAR: Days After Rain
RAF: Rain Fastness Agent= alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol
It is seen from Table-5 that the count of the green leaf hopper per leaf is significantly lower in the SC comprising the rainfastness agent, as compared to when the rainfastness agent is not used in the SC.
It is seen from Tables 2-5 that the addition of the rainfastness agent, alkoxy ether of cetyl alcohol in the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure helps in the retention of the active ingredient even under 50 mm intensity of rain. Further, the addition of the rainfastness agent help to reduce the run –off of Fipronil and Indoxacarb, resulting in an increase in the efficacy, even when the rain occurred with an intensity of 50 mm one hour after the application of the insecticidal suspension concentrate.
Experiment 3: Phytotoxicity and compatibility studies of the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure
After Foliar application of the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure (experiment-1) on the okra crops, the okra crops were continuously monitored and evaluated for phytotoxicity symptoms and crop health on a scale of 0 – 10. The scales are summarized in Table-6, and the results obtained are summarized in Table-7.

Table-6: Scale for phytotoxicity studies

Effect Rate Crop description and condition

None
0 No injury, normal

Slight 1 Slight stunting, injury discoloration
2 Some stand loss, stunting or discoloration
3 Injury more pronounced but not persistent
Moderate 4 Moderate injury, recovery possible
5 Injury more persistent, recovery doubtful
6 Near severe injury, no recovery possible
Severe 7 Severe injury, stand loss surviving
8 Almost destroyed, a few plants surviving
9 Very few plants alive
Complete 10 Complete destruction

Table-7: Phytotoxicity results obtained after 1, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 days after application of the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure

Treatments Dose ( g a.i./ha) RFA Phytotoxicity
Yellowing
Necrosis
Epinasty/
Hyponasty Vein
Clearing Scorching
Wilting

Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 50+50 RFA 0 0 0 0 0 0
Fipronil 5.0% +Indoxacarb 5.0% 100+100 RFA 0 0 0 0 0 0
Untreated - - 0 0 0 0 0 0

It is seen from Table-7 that there is zero effect of the insecticidal suspension concentrate on the crop plants in the presence of the rainfastness agent, thereby indicating that the insecticidal suspension concentrate of the present disclosure is safe to the okra crop.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an insecticidal suspension concentrate having rainfastness/reduced run off and also does not have any detrimental effect on the crop plant, and is therefore safe for use.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values ten percent higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.