FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to synergistic seed treatment compositions comprising Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate-methyl.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The treatment of plant propagation material is a targeted pesticide application which addresses the need for a reduction of environmental and worker exposure compared to foliar or soil pesticide applications. In particular, damage caused by soil dwelling pests, such as insects and fungi is not always immediately visible because they attack the plant material underground.
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 unfavourable environmental or toxicological effects whilst still allowing effective pest control.
Methods of managing this include crop rotation for one year is a highly effective non-chemical control practice; biological control with natural enemies such as other insects, mites, nematodes and fungi; and chemical treatment at time of planting with certain insecticides/fungicides or as seed treatment. There is a continuing need to provide pesticidal solutions, which provide improved, for example, biological properties, especially for controlling pests. 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.
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 color, 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 vigor, increased plant stand and early and better germination; or any other advantages familiar to a person skilled in the art.
The term "thiamethoxam" means 3-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-1,3,5-oxadiazinan-4-ylidene(nitro)amine, CAS Registry Number [153719-23-4]. The standard composition of Thiamethoxam used for seed treatment is 30% flowable concentrate for seed treatment (FS).
Thiamethoxam 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 pest like soil beetles, weevils, wireworms, grubs, early sucking pests etc. in agriculture.
Thiophanate-methyl, component (II-e), is a systemic fungicide with protective and curative action and is used against a wide range of fungal pathogens in post-harvest treatment and seed-treatment. It is the generic name for dimethyl 4,4'-(o-phenylene)bis(3-thioallophanate) which may be represented by the formula

Thiophanate-methyl is a carbendazim precursor and effective against wide range of fungal diseases in cereals, fruits, vegetables, fibre and ornamental crops, including rust, rot, anthracnose, eyespot, scab, leaf spot, mildew, Monilia spp., club root, dollar spot, Botrytis, Sclerotinia spp. etc.
Chinese Patent Application CN102362599 discloses an insecticidal and bacteriostatic seed dressing agent for treating seeds, in particular to a seed dressing agent with the active ingredients comprising 1 to 70 percent of cyproconazole and 1 to 70 percent of thiamethoxam.
Chinese Patent Application CN105052983 discloses a seed treating agent and a special pesticide composition comprising thiamethoxam and pyraclostrobin, wherein the mass ratio of thiamethoxam to pyraclostrobin is (1-10):1.
There is no mention in the prior art that combining insecticide thiamethoxam with fungicide thiophanate-methyl produces a synergistic effect.
Applicants surprisingly found that these objects are in part or in whole achieved by the combination of certain neonicotinoid compounds of the formula I and one or more further fungicidally active compound as defined hereinafter. Formula I is represented by the following structure:

Accordingly, the present invention provides a synergistic seed treatment combination comprising (A) a neonicotinoid from the group of acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuron, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam; (B) one or more further fungicidally active compound selected from thiophanate-methyl, thiram, imibenconazole, tolclofos-methyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutil, triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, trifloxystrobin, triforine, triflumizole, triticonazole, validamycin, vapam, vinclozolin, zineb and ziram.
It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a combination of insecticidal and fungicidal compositions which solve the problems of reducing the dosage rate and / or enhancing the spectrum of activity and / or combining knock-down activity with prolonged control and / or to resistance management and/or promoting the health of plants.
Combination offer 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. Hitherto, there have been no studies to determine the most-efficacious and synergistic ratios of combination of insecticide (Thiamethoxam) and fungicide (Thiophanate methyl) in the ranges in accordance with the invention which leads to much better percentile control of the soil borne pests in comparison to the individual commercial formulation when applied as seed treatment. Thus there exists a need in the art for a composition comprising (A) Thiamethoxam, and (B) Thiophanate Methyl at a ratio which shows superior and effective control on soil borne pests along with no cross resistance of actives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate-methyl.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising thiamethoxam present in an amount ranging from 5-20%.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising thiophanate-methyl present in an amount ranging from 40-60%.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition wherein the composition comprises adjuvants selected from Anti-freeze agent, dispersing agent, wetting agent, defoamer, biocide, thickener and pigment.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising anti-freeze agent wherein the Anti-freeze agent is selected from propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, and diethylene glycol.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising dispersing agent wherein the dispersing agent is selected from Amine salt of phosphate tristyryl phenol ethylated or Acrylic Copolymer or Ethoxylated polyarylphenol phosphate ester.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition wherein the wetting agent is a mixture of non-ionic surfactants and alkoxylated alcohol.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising defoamer wherein the defoamer is dimethyl polysiloxane emulsion.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising biocide wherein the biocide is selected from 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one or 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one or formaldehyde.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising thickener wherein the thickener is selected from Xanthan gum or attapulgite-type clay.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising pigment, wherein the pigment is a red pigment.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition wherein the composition is in form of a flowable suspension (FS) concentrate form.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a synergistic seed treatment composition wherein said composition is non-phytotoxic.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a composition is useful for effectively controlling the soil borne pests, improving the germination and enhancing the vigour/yield of the plant.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of treating seeds, which comprises applying an effective amount of a composition to a lot of seeds.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Discussed below are some representative embodiments of the present invention. The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative methods. The illustrative examples are described in this section in connection with the embodiments and methods provided. The invention according to its various aspects is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the appended claims read in view of this specification and appropriate equivalents.
It is to be noted that, 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 terms of “% w/w” or “%” means the percentage by weight, relative to the weight of the total solution or composition unless otherwise specified.
The term "agrochemically effective amount" is that quantity of active agent, applied in any amount which will provide the required control of fungal pathogen and diseases or insect pests. The particular amount is dependent upon many factors including, for example, the crop, type of fungus and disease and insect 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. Further, the term “active ingredient” (A.I.) or “active agent” used herein refers to that component of the composition responsible for control of fungal pathogen or insect.
The present invention relates to a synergistic seed treatment composition comprising Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate-methyl wherein thiamethoxam present in an amount ranging from 5-20% and thiophanate-methyl present in an amount ranging from 40-60%.
The synergistic seed treatment composition wherein the composition comprises adjuvants selected from Anti-freeze agent, dispersing agent, wetting agent, defoamer, biocide, thickener and pigment.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises Anti-freeze agent selected from glycerine, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, preferably propylene glycol present in the range of 1% to 10%.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises the dispersing agent is selected from Amine salt of phosphate tristyryl phenol ethylated or Acrylic Copolymer or Ethoxylated polyarylphenol phosphate ester present in the range of 1% to 10%.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises the wetting agent, which is also considered surface active compound with water soluble (hydrophilic) and water insoluble (hydrophobic) components, but they tend to non-ionic and generally have a molecular weight of less than 2000. The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises the wetting agent is a mixture of non-ionic surfactants and alkoxylated alcohol present in range of 1-10%.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises defoamer, wherein defoamer is selected from Dimethyl Polysiloxane emulsion, the defoamer present in an amount ranging from 0.01-0.5%.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises biocide, wherein biocide is selected from sodium benzoate, 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one, 2-methyl-4- isothiazolin-3-one, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, potassium sorbate, parahydroxy benzoates, formaldehyde. The preferred biocides are 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one or 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one or formaldehyde present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.5% w/w.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises thickner wherein the thickener is selected thickener selected from sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, polyvinylalcohol, Sodium alginate, Sodium poly acrylate, Xanthan gum, Attapulgite-type clay, Gum arabica, Hydroxy methyl cellulose, Dextrin, Starch and mixtures thereof, present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 0.5% w/w.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises colouring agent, selected from dye or pigment, present in an amount ranging from 0.5 to 3%. Colouring agent is included in the seed coating so that an observer can immediately determine that the seeds are treated. The colouring agent is also useful to indicate to the user the degree of uniformity of the coating applied. Generally, the colouring agent tends to have a melting point above 30° C., and therefore, is also suspended in the compositions of the present invention.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises pigment wherein the preferred pigment is a red pigment.
In accordance with an embodiment of present invention, pigments or dyes for seed treatment formulations are selected from pigment blue 15:4, pigment blue 15:3, pigment blue 15:2, pigment blue 15:1, pigment blue 80, pigment yellow 1 , pigment yellow 13, pigment red 112, pigment red 48:2, pigment red 48:1, pigment red 57:1, pigment red 53:1, pigment orange 43, pigment orange 34, pigment orange 5, pigment green 36, pigment green 7, pigment white 6, pigment brown 25, basic violet 10, basic violet 49, acid red 51, acid red 52, acid red 14, acid blue 9, acid yellow 23, basic red 10, basic red 108.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises wherein the composition is in form of a flowable suspension (FS) concentrate form. The synergistic seed treatment composition may also be formulated as dust, powder, granules, encapsulated granules, water soluble, tablets, dry flowable, wettable powder, water dispersible granules, flowable solids etc.
The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises wherein said composition is non-phytotoxic.
The synergistic seed treatment composition is useful for effectively controlling the soil borne pests, improving the germination and enhancing the vigour/yield of the plant.

The synergistic seed treatment composition comprises a method of treating seeds, wherein composition is applied in an effective amount to seeds.
In accordance with an embodiment of present invention comprises method of applying the mixture according to the invention consists in spraying or wetting the plant propagation material with a liquid preparation.
In accordance with an embodiment of present invention, the compounds of this invention may be formulated or mixed in the seed treatment equipment or combined on the seed by coating with other seed treating agents. The agents to be mixed with the compounds of this invention may be for the control of pests, modification of growth together with nutrition, or for the control of plant diseases.
In accordance an another embodiment of present invention, provides a method of protecting plant propagation material, preferably a seed, from attack by pests by treating the material with a pesticidally effective amount of the composition of the first aspect, preferably before planting or sowing the seed.
In accordance with an embodiment of present invention, provides a method of controlling pests, from damaging crop plants, especially vegetable crop plants, by the treatment of the plants' propagation material, such as a seed, with a pesticidally effective amount of the composition of the first aspect, preferably before planting or sowing the seed.
In accordance with an embodiment of present invention, the present invention provides a plant propagation material protected from any attack by insect and fungus. The plant propagation material, preferably a seed, such as a vegetable seed etc., treated with a pesticidally effective amount of the composition of the first aspect or obtained by the method of the second aspect.
The synergistic seed treatment composition of the present invention is useful in protecting a wide range of crops like cereals, vegetables, cotton, legumes, etc. against major soil borne diseases and insects of plants. The composition achieves improved biological efficacy by enhancing overall efficacy over a shorter period of time.
The synergistic seed treatment composition of the present invention, provides a process for treating seeds, characterized in that the said seed is chosen from the group comprising cereals (wheat, barley, rye), maize, sorghum, sunflower, cotton, rice, peas, rape, okra, potato, groundnut, chili and market garden crops. Seed treatment is a promising method for the protection of seeds against pests (fungi and insects) suitable for crop seeds further selected from selected from the group of corn (sweet and field), soybean, oats, alfalfa, sorghum, rapeseed, sugar beet, Brassica spp., tomato, bean, carrot, tobacco and flower seed, for example, pansy, impatiens, petunia and geranium.
In accordance with an embodiment of present invention, is provided a process to prepare synergistic seed treatment composition comprisisng one substituted neonicotinoid compound of formula I and one or more further fungicidally active compound selected from Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate Methyl respectively.
In accordance with an embodiment of present invention, is to provide composition that is useful for effectively controlling the soil borne pests, improve the germination and also enhances the vigor/yield of the plant.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided novel method for preventing damage by a pest to a seed and/or shoots and foliage of a plant grown from the seed, the method comprising treating the unsown seed with a composition comprising thiamethoxam and thiophanate-methyl.
In accordance with the another embodiment of present invention, it has been observed that treatment of unsown plant seeds with a composition that includes a specific composition of an Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate-methyl not only protects the seeds but surprisingly provides post-emergent control of pests that feed or damage the shoots and/or foliage of the plant.
Composition containing variety of component tends to interact with each other and affect the physical characteristics of that composition, such as an increase in the sedimentation and a change in the viscosity over time and/or climatic conditions of storage. Accordingly, compositions that exhibit good storage characteristics so that they can be transported long distances and kept in store-houses are also desired. It has been found that the compositions of the present invention also demonstrate such improved physical characteristics.
The invention relates to the propagation material of plants, and especially the seed, coated with and/or containing a combination as defined above or a composition containing the mixture of two active materials.
The term coated with and/or containing means that the active material is mostly found at the surface of the propagation material at the time of application, even though a more or less significant part can enter therein according to the method of application. When the said propagation material is planted out, it absorbs the active material. In fact, commercially it is possible to suggest that most of the active material is at the surface most of the time.
The present invention makes it possible to dress or treat seeds and other plant propagation materials with lower amounts in comparison to existing acutely toxic biocides than is known from the prior art and, in most cases, replaces such existing acutely toxic biocides; the invention therefore represents a material enrichment of the art.
The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do not necessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages and/or objects:
The synergistic seed treatment compositions according to the invention are particularly suited to for the treatment of plant propagation material so that material has a degree of protection during its germination and growth.

EXAMPLE
The unit of each value below is “% w/w” i. e. the percentage by weight, relative to the weight of the total solution or composition unless otherwise specified. The compositions illustrated in Table 1 are formulated as a flowable suspension (FS) concentrate form.
Table 1: Synergistic fungicidal compositions
Sr. No. Ingredient Role Quantity
1 Thiamethoxam (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 5-20%
2 Thiophanate-methyl (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 40-60%
3 Propylene glycol/Diethylene glycol/Monoethylene glycol Anti-freeze agent 1-10%
4 Amine salt of phosphate tristyryl phenol ethylated /Acrylic Copolymer/Ethoxylated Polyarylphenol Phosphate Ester Dispersing Agent 1-10%
5 Mixture of nonionic surfactants & Alkoxylated Alcohol Wetting Agent 1-10%
6 Dimethyl Polysiloxane emulsion Antifoam 0.01-0.5%
7 Proxel GXL/Formaldehyde Biocide 0.01-0.5%
8 Xanthan Gum Thickener 0.01-0.5%
9 Red Pigment Colouring agent 0.5-3%
10 Demineralised Water Solvent Q.S. to make 100%
A.I. = Active Ingredient Q.S. = Quantity Sufficient
The following examples illustrate the basic methodology and versatility of the present invention.

Examples 1-3
The unit of each value below is “% w/w” i. e. the percentage by weight, relative to the weight of the total solution or composition unless otherwise specified. The compositions contemplated by each of the Examples 1-3 that are tabulated in Tables 2-4 are formulated as a flowable suspension (FS) concentrate form.
Table 2: Synergistic fungicidal compositions (Example 1)
Sr. No. Ingredient Role Quantity
1 Thiamethoxam (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 20.00
2 Thiophanate-methyl (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 40.00
3 Propylene glycol/Diethylene glycol/Monoethylene glycol Anti-freeze agent 5.00
4 Amine salt of phosphate tristyryl phenol ethylated /Acrylic Copolymer/Ethoxylated Polyarylphenol Phosphate Ester Dispersing Agent 2.00
5 Mixture of nonionic surfactants & Alkoxylated Alcohol Wetting Agent 1.00
6 Dimethyl Polysiloxane emulsion Antifoam 0.10
7 Proxel GXL/Formaldehyde Biocide 0.10
8 Xanthan Gum Thickener 0.05
9 Red Pigment Colouring agent 2.50
10 Demineralised Water Solvent Q.S.
A.I. = Active Ingredient Q.S. = Quantity Sufficient

Table 3: Synergistic fungicidal compositions (Example 2)
Sr. No. Ingredient Role Quantity
1 Thiamethoxam (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 10.00
2 Thiophanate-methyl (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 50.00
3 Propylene glycol/Diethylene glycol/Monoethylene glycol Anti-freeze agent 5.00
4 Amine salt of phosphate tristyryl phenol ethylated /Acrylic Copolymer/Ethoxylated Polyarylphenol Phosphate Ester Dispersing Agent 2.00
5 Mixture of nonionic surfactants & Alkoxylated Alcohol Wetting Agent 1.00
6 Dimethyl Polysiloxane emulsion Antifoam 0.10
7 Proxel GXL/Formaldehyde Biocide 0.10
8 Xanthan Gum Thickener 0.05
9 Red Pigment Colouring agent 2.50
10 Demineralised Water Solvent Q.S.
A.I. = Active Ingredient Q.S. = Quantity Sufficient

Table 4: Synergistic fungicidal compositions (Example 3)
Sr. No. Ingredient Role Quantity
1 Thiamethoxam (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 5.0
2 Thiophanate-methyl (Basis of 100.0%) A.I. 60.00
3 Propylene glycol/Diethylene glycol/Monoethylene glycol Anti-freeze agent 5.00
4 Amine salt of phosphate tristyryl phenol ethylated /Acrylic Copolymer/Ethoxylated Polyarylphenol Phosphate Ester Dispersing Agent 2.00
5 Mixture of nonionic surfactants & Alkoxylated Alcohol Wetting Agent 1.00
6 Dimethyl Polysiloxane emulsion Antifoam 0.10
7 Proxel GXL/Formaldehyde Biocide 0.10
8 Xanthan Gum Thickener 0.05
9 Red Pigment Colouring agent 2.50
10 Demineralised Water Solvent Q.S.
A.I. = Active Ingredient Q.S. = Quantity Sufficient
The aforementioned fungicidal compositions can be formulated as a flowable suspension (FS) concentrate form by the process described below.
Process for preparing synergistic fungicidal composition in the form of flowable suspension (FS) concentrate form:
The process for manufacture of 100 kg batch size of a composition comprising Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate-methyl is provided. The amounts of active ingredients presented may be greater than the values calculated taking into account the percentage purity of the active ingredients, to compensate for losses of said ingredients during the manufacturing process. It was observed that following said procedure on industrial scale the final yield of A.I. will be similar or same as to standardized values.
The dispersing and wetting agent are first diluted in D.M. Water, and solubilized by high shear mixing then added anti freezing agent, Thiophanate-methyl technical, defoamer, biocide, pigment and mixed to make homogeneous then added Thiamethoxam technical and mixed to make homogeneous mass. The above mixed mass was grinded in Bead Mill. Grinding was carried out until a mean particle size of 3-5 (D-90) microns is obtained. After the grinding, added 2% water solution of xanthan gum under low stirring. After homogeneous mixing, check for quality parameters.
Comparative Evaluation of various ratios of the novel synergistic seed treatment composition of Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate-methyl against soil and seed borne diseases in soybean 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/fungicidal activity" has the same meaning as pesticidal activity, except it is limited to those instances where the pest is an insect or a fungus. 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 soybean 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 soybean.
Treatments include (i) clean seeds as healthy check, (ii) seed first inoculated with pathogen inoculums 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 (Thiamethoxam 30% FS and Thiophanate Methyl 70% WP), (v) healthy seeds treated with market sample (Thiamethoxam 30% FS and Thiophanate Methyl 70% WP).
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 three replications for each treatment.
Treatment Details:
T1: Thiamethoxam + Thiophanate-methyl (20 + 40)
T2: Thiamethoxam + Thiophanate-methyl (10 + 50)
T3: Thiamethoxam + Thiophanate-methyl (5 + 60)
T4: Thiophanate-methyl 70% WP
T5: Thiamethoxam 30% FS
T6: Control
Percent disease index (PDI) was calculated by using formula adopted by Horsfall and Heuberger, 1942 as follows
PDI = Sum of all disease Ratings____________________ x 100
Total no. of leaves/fruits assessed x Maximum Disease rating
Table 5: Effect of novel synergistic seed treatment composition against Seedling rot, stem rot, shoot fly and on yield in Soybean crop
Treatments
Dose
(g/ml /kg seed) % Germination Seedling rot stem rot Shoot fly Population* Grain Yield (qtls/ha**)
Incidence (%) PDI Incidence (%) PDI
T1 25.00 89.67 1.79 2.78 2.93 5.00 6.00 7.82
T2 25.00 94.33 1.43 1.67 2.07 3.89 4.67 8.76
T3 25.00 92.33 1.57 2.22 2.21 4.44 6.67 8.12
T4 20.00 82.33 3.57 3.89 4.21 5.67 13.67 7.45
T5 10.00 84.33 6.93 10.22 7.57 11.56 7.33 7.22
T6 - 77.67 8.36 12.22 8.57 13.33 14.33 6.34
S.Ed - - 0.184 0.129 0.102 0.114 0.259 0.23
CD (5%) - - 0.086 0.064 0.048 0.057 0.121 0.70
S.Ed = Standard Error of deviation CD (5%) = Critical Difference
* Mean of three replication
**qtls/ha = Quintals/Hectare
Table 6: Effect of novel synergistic seed treatment composition on the Phytotoxicity in Soybean crop
Sr. No. Treatments Dose (g/kg seed) Phytotoxicity (Days after emergence)
1 DAE 3 DAE 7 DAE 14 DAE 21 DAE
1 Thiamethoxam 10% + Thiophanate-methyl 50% FS 25g 0 0 0 0 0
2 50g 0 0 0 0 0
3 100g 0 0 0 0 0
4 Control - 0 0 0 0 0
0 = No Phytotoxicity DAE = Days after emergence
The aforementioned trial results indicate that the T2 (Thiamethoxam + Thiophanate-methyl (10 + 50)) 60% FS 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 colour, strength of plant is good with better growth. The results for (Thiamethoxam + Thiophanate-methyl (10 + 50)) 60% FS surpasses the observations for market samples (Thiamethoxam 30% FS and Thiophanate Methyl 70% WP) 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.

We claim:
1. A synergistic seed treatment composition comprising Thiamethoxam and Thiophanate-methyl.

2. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thiamethoxam is present in an amount ranging from 5-20%.

3. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein thiophanate-methyl is present in an amount ranging from 40-60%.

4. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition comprises adjuvants selected from Anti-freeze agent, dispersing agent, wetting agent, defoamer, biocide, thickener and pigment.

5. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the Anti-freeze agent is selected from propylene glycol, monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol.

6. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dispersing agent is selected from Amine salt of phosphate tristyryl phenol ethylated or Acrylic Copolymer or Ethoxylated polyarylphenol phosphate ester.

7. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wetting agent is a mixture of non-ionic surfactants and alkoxylated alcohol.

8. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the defoamer is a dimethyl polysiloxane emulsion.

9. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the biocide is selected from 1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one or 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one or formaldehyde.

10. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thickener is selected from Xanthan gum or attapulgite-type clay.
11. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pigment is a red pigment.

12. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is in form of a flowable suspension (FS) concentrate form.

13. The synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 1 to 12, wherein said composition is non-phytotoxic.

14. The composition as claimed in claims 1 to 13 is useful for effectively controlling the soil borne pests, improving the germination and enhancing the vigour/yield of the plant.

15. A method of treating seeds comprising applying an effective amount of synergistic seed treatment composition as claimed in claim 1 to seeds.