FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a plant propagation material treatment composition comprising GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist and a surfactant for protection against pests.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Damage by insects to plant propagation materials such as seeds, shoots, tubers is a serious issue that causes tremendous losses in agriculture. To curb the menace of insects at the starting point of farming season, it is important to switch practice to seed treatment by adopting the principle of prevention, thereby allowing healthy growth of crops from a healthy foundation.
GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists function by disrupting neural transmission in the central nervous system of insect pests. GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists inhibit neuronal receptors, while Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists mimic the action of neurotransmitters. The use of a single active poses limited impact on pest numbers and offers limited mortality in pests. The effects of a single active are more temporary in nature.
In 2015, findings by Morales-Rodriguez and Wanner (Efficacy of thiamethoxam and fipronil, applied alone and in combination, to control Limonius californicus and Hypnoidus bicolor (Coleoptera: Elateridae), Pest Manag Sci. 2015 Apr;71(4):584-91) and Bredeson and Lundgren (Thiamethoxam Plant propagation material Treatments Have No Impact on Pest Numbers or Yield in Cultivated Sunflowers, Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 108, Issue 6, 1 December 2015, Pages 2665–2671) revealed that Thiamethoxam (an Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist) alone was ineffective in controlling the pests. Experiments conducted by Wilde et al (Plant propagation material Treatment for Control of Early-Season Pests of Corn and Its Effect on Yield, J. Agric. Urban Entomol. Vol. 21, No. 2 (2004)) demonstrated that though fipronil (GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists) was effective in controlling pests, its effectiveness was restricted to a limited variety of insects. They have further demonstrated that using the two actives together provide broader protection.
IN2324/DEL/2013 demonstrates a synergistic combination of neonicotinoids and phenylpyrazoles. However, it does not investigate a plant propagation material treatment composition containing two actives with emphasis on the role of surfactant in enhancing the composition.
US6143830A describes a surfactant blend comprising polyoxyethylene (EO)/polyoxypropylene (PO) block copolymers and its compatibility with various pesticides. However, the patent does not investigate the applicability of these surfactant blend with the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists.
Thus, there is a need for an effective pesticidal composition comprising two actives with different modes of action with wide application permissibility so as to target a broad spectrum of pests. There also lies a need to provide a pesticidal composition which also delivers more effect in less amounts of actives used to reduce toxicity to non-target organisms.
The present invention addresses the above-mentioned issues by providing a novel composition with two actives having different modes of actions and a surfactant blend wherein the composition provides broad applications, stronger applicability and reachability to a wide spectrum of target pests and an effective method for plant propagation material treatment using this composition.

The object of the present invention is to provide a composition with its actives having different modes of action, wherein the composition also comprises a surfactant for enhancing the effectiveness of the composition comprising lesser amount of actives and methods of making the same. The present invention also provides a method of treatment of plant propagation material using the said composition, a plant propagation material treated with the said composition and a kit pertaining to the said composition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, the present invention provides a composition comprising a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists; b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.
The invention further provides a method of protecting the plant propagation material or a plant grown from the plant propagation material using a composition comprising a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists; b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and c) a blend of surfactants selected from surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.
Further, the invention provides a plant propagation material or a plant arising from the plant propagation material treated with a composition comprising a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists; b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers. s
Moreover, the invention provides an use of a composition for protecting a plant propagation material or a plant arising out of the plant propagation material, or both comprising a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists; b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.,
Also, the invention provides a kit of parts comprising a) atleast one container including a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist; b) atleast one container including an Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers; and (d) instructions for applying said GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist insecticide compound and said Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist insecticide onto the plant propagation material or surrounding area, or both.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is known that GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists when applied in combination with Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist broaden the efficacy of pesticidal treatment. Moreover, the collaborative application of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist result in a broad spectrum of target pests. Also, it has been found that the two actives applied together compensate for drawbacks of the other active when applied alone.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found, that the efficacy of the actives of the present invention were greatly enhanced when formulated with a specific combination of nonionic surfactants. The interaction of the nonionic surfactants and the actives of the present invention, have demonstrated unexpectedly higher efficacy, greater stability, improved shelf life and other benefits. The specific nonionic surfactants of the present invention when added to the formulation, not only enhanced storage stability of the actives, also alleviated the toxicity of the formulation and provided enhanced efficacy.
Thus, a blend of polyalkylene oxide block copolymer surfactants and acrylic graft copolymers when added to the combination of the present invention resulted in improved stability, decreased toxicity as well as enhanced efficacy.
As used herein, the term “plant propagation material” encompasses any tissue of plant origin which is used in vegetative propagation or growing a plant, a plantlet or any part of a plant. This includes seeds, grains, hulls, seed-coats, roots, shoots, tubers, rhizomes, bulbs, corms, anthers, stamen, pollen, stigma, fruits, flowers, buds, bark, stems, leaflets, tendrils, pods, etc.
The term “GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist” refers to a compound, entity or a moiety which block the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA(1)) receptor/chloride ionophore complex by stabilizing nonconducting conformations of the chloride channel.
The term “Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist” as used herein refers to a compound, entity or a moiety which mimics the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) or Muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptors.
The term agriculturally acceptable amount of active: refers to an amount of an active that kills or inhibits the plant disease for which control is desired, in an amount not significantly toxic to the plant being treated.
Thus, an aspect of the present invention provides compositions comprising:
a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists;
b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and
c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.

The GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists are selected from group consisting of lindane, endosulfan, fipronil and dieldrin.
The Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist are selected from the group consisting of thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone.
According to a preferred embodiment, the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is thiamethoxam.
In an alternate, embodiment, the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is clothianidin.
In an alternate embodiment, GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is imidacloprid.
In an alternate embodiment, GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is sulfoxaflor
In an alternate embodiment, GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is flupyradifurone.
In an embodiment, the amount of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is typically in the range of 0.1 to 99% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 90% by weight. Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is typically in the range of 0.1 to 99% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 90% by weight.
The surfactant blend of the present invention plays a major role in the improved efficacy, decreased toxicity as well as excellent stability.
Thus, the polyalkylene oxide block copolymer surfactants are selected from but not limited to EO-PO-EO and PO-EO-PO block copolymers, ethylene oxide-butylene oxide random and block copolymers, C2-6 alkyl adducts of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide random and block copolymers, C2-6 alkyl adducts of ethylene oxide-butylene oxide random and block copolymers, alcohol initiated EO/PO block copolymer like a 4-butoxy-1-butanol initiated EO/PO block copolymers, or polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene monoalkylethers such as methyl ether, ethyl ether, propyl ether, butyl ether; specific examples of polymers include Pluronic P103 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic P65 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic R 25R2 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO block copolymer), Pluronic R 31R1 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO block copolymer) and Witconol NS 500LQ (Witco),Atlas™ G5000 and Atlas™ G5002L (Uniqema) and the like.
The graft copolymers are selected from comb-branched polymers with an acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate, methacrylate or methyl methacrylate polymer backbone such as polymethyl methacrylate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymers; and hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) branches extending from this backbone, such as Atlox 4913 (Uniquema), Metasperse 100 L (Uniquema), and Atlox® 4914 (Uniqema) and the like.
The ratio and amount of surfactants in the blend of the present invention is between 0.1 – 10% by weight of the composition, preferably between 1-10% by weight of the composition, most preferably between 2.5 – 10% by weight of composition.
The composition of the present invention can be formulated as a powder (DS), a water-slurryable powder (WS), a non-aqueous solution (LS), dry flowables (DF), liquid flowables (LF), true liquids (TL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), dusts (D), wettable powders (WP), suspoemulsions (SE), water-dispersible granules (WG) or a flowable suspension (FS) meant to be used for plant propagation material treatment. Preferably, the composition is in the form of a flowable suspension (FS).

In an embodiment, composition of the present invention can further comprise agriculturally acceptable excipients such as surfactants, colorants, thickeners, antifreeze agents, biocides, anti-foam agents, or a mixture thereof can be optionally added to the compositions of the present invention.
Thus, in an embodiment, surfactants are selected from non-ionic, anionic or cationic surfactants.
Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyarylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyalkylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyglycol ether derivatives of saturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic alcohols, polyglycol ether derivatives of cycloaliphatic alcohols, fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan, alkoxylated vegetable oils, alkoxylated acetylenic diols, polyalkoxylated alkylphenols, fatty acid alkoxylates, sorbitan alkoxylates, sorbitol esters, C8-C22 alkyl or alkenyl polyglycosides, polyalkoxy styrylaryl ethers, alkylamine oxides, block copolymer ethers, polyalkoxylated fatty glyceride, polyalkylene glycol ethers, linear aliphatic or aromatic polyesters, organo silicones, polyaryl phenols, sorbitol ester alkoxylates, polyalkylene oxide block copolymers, acrylic copolymers and mono- and diesters of ethylene glycol and mixtures thereof.
Examples of anionic surfactants include alcohol sulfates, alcohol ether sulfates, alkylaryl ether sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates such as alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates and salts thereof, alkyl sulfonates, mono- or di-phosphate esters of polyalkoxylated alkyl alcohols or alkylphenols , mono- or di-sulfosuccinate esters of C12-C15 alkanols or polyalkoxylated C12-C15 alkanols, alcohol ether carboxylates, phenolic ether carboxylates, polybasic acid esters of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene glycols consisting of oxybutylene or the residue of tetrahydrofuran, sulfoalkylamides and salts thereof such as N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate Na salt, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenol carboxylates, polyoxyalkylene alcohol carboxylates alkyl polyglycoside/alkenyl succinic anhydride condensation products, alkyl ester sulfates, napthalene sulfonates, naphthalene formaldehyde condensates, alkyl sulfonamides, sulfonated aliphatic polyesters, sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates, and sulfonate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or triethanolammonium salts, salts of ligninsulfonic acid such as the sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium or ammonium salt, polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether sulfates and polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether phosphates, and sulfated alkyl phenol ethoxylates and phosphated alkyl phenol ethoxylates.
Cationic surfactants include alkanol amides of C8-C18 fatty acids and C8-C18 fatty amine polyalkoxylates, C10-C18 alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chlorides, coconut alkyldimethylaminoacetic acids, and phosphate esters of C8-18 fatty amine polyalkoxylates.
In an embodiment, colorants are selected from iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs or metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace elements, such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.
Another embodiment involves addition of a thickener or binder which are selected from but not limited to molasses, granulated sugar, alginates, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gum, mucilage, xanthan gum or combination thereof. In another embodiment, the binder is selected from silicates such as magnesium aluminium silicate, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, celluloses, including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxymethyl celluloses, hydroxypropylcelluloses, hydroxymethylpropyl-celluloses, polyvinylpyrolidones, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride, vinylidene chloride copolymers, calcium lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof; polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, methyl cellulose, vinylidene chloride, acrylic, cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polysaccharide; polymers and copolymers of vinylidene chloride and vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers; combinations of polyvinyl alcohol and sucrose; plasticizers such as glycerol, propylene glycol, polyglycols.
In another embodiment, antifreeze agent(s) added to the composition can be alcohols selected from the group comprising of but not limited to ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylol propane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A or the like. In addition, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene glycols of molecular weight up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethylether, diethylene glycol monoethylether, triethylene glycol monomethylether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutylether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, octaglycerol.
According to an embodiment, biocides are selected from benzothiazoles, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, 1,2-phenyl-isothiazolin-3-one, inter chloroxylenol paraoxybenzoate butyl.
According to an embodiment, antifoam agent is selected from Polydimethoxysiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, Alkyl poly acrylates, Castor Oil, Fatty Acids, Fatty Acids Esters, Fatty Acids Sulfate, Fatty Alcohol, Fatty Alcohol Esters, Fatty Alcohol Sulfate, Foot Olive Oil, Mono & Di Glyceride, Paraffin Oil, Paraffin Wax, Poly Propylene Glycol, Silicones Oil, Vegetable & Animal Fats, Vegetable & Animal Fats Sulfate, Vegetable & Animal Oil, Vegetable & Animal Oil Sulfate, Vegetable & Animal Wax, Vegetable & Animal Wax Sulfate.

The process of making the composition of the present invention comprises mixing the active compounds, surfactants in required quantities along with other optional excipients to get the final usable product. A typical procedure for preparing the composition of the present invention involves the following steps:
a. weighing and charging the surfactant and other optional excipients followed by stirring and homogenizing;
b. charging the predetermined amount of active ingredients and optionally adding a coloring agent to the above mixture followed by homogenization and agitation;
c. reducing particle size of the mixture to desired specification with the help of a wet grinding mill and
d. gelling with the help of a thickener/binder to obtain the final product with desired active content, viscosity, pH, size and density.
Further, a person skilled in the art would readily know various other processes to prepare a composition of the present invention.
The composition of the present invention can be used for treating plant propagation materials of various crops but not limited to:
cereals (e.g. wheat, barley, oats, rye, triticale, millet, sorghum, corn, etc.) oil seeds (e.g. oil seeds rape, sunflower, mustard etc.), rice, corn, cotton, root and tuber crops (e.g. potatoes etc.) as well as vegetables (e.g. leafy, stem, fruiting, brassicas and bulb), legumes (such as beans, red beans , beans, green peas, beans, peanuts, etc.), fruit trees and fruits (such as apples, citrus fruits, pears, grapes, peaches, plums, cherries, walnuts, chestnuts, apricots, bananas and strawberries, etc.), leaves and fruit and vegetable vegetables (such as cabbage, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, onion, green onions, green peppers, eggplant and pepper crops, etc.), root vegetables (such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, Japanese radish, lotus root, turnip, burdock root, garlic, etc.), processing crops (such as cotton, hemp, sugar beets, hops, sugar cane, sugar beet, olives, rubber, coffee, tobacco, tea, etc.), hyacinth species (for example, pumpkin, cucumbers, sweet melons , watermelons, melons, etc.), forage (such as orchards, sorghum, timothy, clover, alfalfa, etc.), lawn (such as lawn, bran spike grass, etc.), spices and spice crops and ornamental plants (such as lavender, rosemary, thyme, parsley, pepper, ginger, etc.), flowers and ornamental plants (such as chrysanthemum, rose, carnation, orchid, etc.), landscape trees (such as ginkgo book, cherry tree, aucuba, etc.) or trees (such as fir forest, scale spruce, pine, yellow cypress, cedar, cypress, etc.)
The said composition of the present invention comprising of the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist, the Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist and surfactant(s) can be used for treating the plant propagation materials of various crops against following pests, but not limited to:
pests from the phylum Arthropoda, especially from the class Arachnida, for example, Acarus spp., Aceria sheldoni, Aculops spp., Aculus spp., Amblyomma spp., Amphitetranychus viennensis, Argas spp., Boophilus spp., Brevipalpus spp., Bryobia graminum, Bryobia praetiosa, Centruroides spp., Chorioptes spp., Dermanyssus gallinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermacentor spp., Eotetranychus spp., Epitrimerus pyri, Eutetranychus spp., Eriophyes spp., Glycyphagus domesticus, Halotydeus destructor, Hemitarsonemus spp., Hyalomma spp., Ixodes spp., Latrodectus spp., Loxosceles spp., Metatetranychus spp., Neutrombicula autumnalis, Nuphersa spp., Oligonychus spp., Ornithodorus spp., Ornithonyssus spp., Panonychus spp., Phyllocoptruta oleivora, Polyphagotarsonemus latus, Psoroptes spp., Rhipicephalus spp., Rhizoglyphus spp., Sarcoptes spp., Scorpio maurus, Steneotarsonemus spp., Steneotarsonemus spinki, Tarsonemus spp., Tetranychus spp., Trombicula alfreddugesi, Vaejovis spp., Vasates lycopersici;
from the class Chilopoda, for example, Geophilus spp., Scutigera spp.;
from the order or the class Collembola, for example, Onychiurus armatus;
from the class Diplopoda, for example, Blaniulus guttulatus;
from the class Insecta, e.g. from the order Blattodea, for example, Blattella asahinai, Blattella germanica, Blatta orientalis, Leucophaea maderae, Panchlora spp., Parcoblatta spp., Periplaneta spp., Supella longipalpa;
from the order Coleoptera, for example, Acalymma vittatum, Acanthoscelides obtectus, Adoretus spp., Agelastica alni, Agriotes spp., Alphitobius diaperinus, Amphimallon solstitialis, Anobium punctatum, Anoplophora spp., Anthonomus spp., Anthrenus spp., Apion spp., Apogonia spp., Atomaria spp., Attagenus spp., Bruchidius obtectus, Bruchus spp., Cassida spp., Cerotoma trifurcata, Ceutorrhynchus spp., Chaetocnema spp., Cleonus mendicus, Conoderus spp., Cosmopolites spp., Costelytra zealandica, Ctenicera spp., Curculio spp., Cryptolestes ferrugineus, Cryptorhynchus lapathi, Cylindrocopturus spp., Dermestes spp., Diabrotica spp., Dichocrocis spp., Dicladispa armigera, Diloboderus spp., Epilachna spp., Epitrix spp., Faustinus spp., Gibbium psylloides, Gnathocerus cornutus, Hellula undalis, Heteronychus arator, Heteronyx spp., Hylamorpha elegans, Hylotrupes bajulus, Hypera postica, Hypomeces squamosus, Hypothenemus spp., Lachnosterna consanguinea, Lasioderma serricorne, Latheticus oryzae, Lathridius spp., Lema spp., Leptinotarsa decemlineata, Leucoptera spp., Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus, Lixus spp., Luperodes spp., Lyctus spp., Megascelis spp., Melanotus spp., Meligethes aeneus, Melolontha spp., Migdolus spp., Monochamus spp., Naupactus xanthographus, Necrobia spp., Niptus hololeucus, Oryctes rhinoceros, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Oryzaphagus oryzae, Otiorrhynchus spp., Oxycetonia jucunda, Phaedon cochleariae, Phyllophaga spp., Phyllophaga helleri, Phyllotreta spp., Popillia japonica, Premnotrypes spp., Prostephanus truncatus, Psylliodes spp., Ptinus spp., Rhizobius ventralis, Rhizopertha dominica, Sitophilus spp., Sitophilus oryzae, Sphenophorus spp., Stegobium paniceum, Sternechus spp., Symphyletes spp., Tanymecus spp., Tenebrio molitor, Tenebrioides mauretanicus, Tribolium spp., Trogoderma spp., Tychius spp., Xylotrechus spp., Zabrus spp.;
from the order Diptera, for example, Aedes spp., Agromyza spp., Anastrepha spp., Anopheles spp., Asphondylia spp., Bactrocera spp., Bibio hortulanus, Calliphora erythrocephala, Calliphora vicina, Ceratitis capitata, Chironomus spp., Chrysomyia spp., Chrysops spp., Chrysozona pluvialis, Cochliomyia spp., Contarinia spp., Cordylobia anthropophaga, Cricotopus sylvestris, Culex spp., Culicoides spp., Culiseta spp., Cuterebra spp., Dacus oleae, Dasyneura spp., Delia spp., Dermatobia hominis, Drosophila spp., Echinocnemus spp., Fannia spp., Gasterophilus spp., Glossina spp., Haematopota spp., Hydrellia spp., Hydrellia griseola, Hylemya spp., Hippobosca spp., Hypoderma spp., Liriomyza spp., Lucilia spp., Lutzomyia spp., Mansonia spp., Musca spp., Oestrus spp., Oscinella frit, Paratanytarsus spp., Paralauterborniella subcincta, Pegomyia spp., Phlebotomus spp., Phorbia spp., Phormia spp., Piophila casei, Prodiplosis spp., Psila rosae, Rhagoletis spp., Sarcophaga spp., Simulium spp., Stomoxys spp., Tabanus spp., Tetanops spp., Tipula spp.;
from the order Heteroptera, for example, Anasa tristis, Antestiopsis spp., Boisea spp., Blissus spp., Calocoris spp., Campylomma livida, Cavelerius spp., Cimex spp., Collaria spp., Creontiades dilutus, Dasynus piperis, Dichelops furcatus, Diconocoris hewetti, Dysdercus spp., Euschistus spp., Eurygaster spp., Heliopeltis spp., Horcias nobilellus, Leptocorisa spp., Leptocorisa varicornis, Leptoglossus phyllopus, Lygus spp., Macropes excavatus, Miridae, Monalonion atratum, Nezara spp., Oebalus spp., Pentomidae, Piesma quadrata, Piezodorus spp., Psallus spp., Pseudacysta persea, Rhodnius spp., Sahlbergella singularis, Scaptocoris castanea, Scotinophora spp., Stephanitis nashi, Tibraca spp., Triatoma spp.;
from the order Homoptera, for example, Acizzia acaciaebaileyanae, Acizzia dodonaeae, Acizzia uncatoides, Acrida turrita, Acyrthosipon spp., Acrogonia spp., Aeneolamia spp., Agonoscena spp., Aleyrodes proletella, Aleurolobus barodensis, Aleurothrixus floccosus, Allocaridara malayensis, Amrasca spp., Anuraphis cardui, Aonidiella spp., Aphanostigma piri, Aphis spp., Arboridia apicalis, Arytainilla spp., Aspidiella spp., Aspidiotus spp., Atanus spp., Aulacorthum solani, Bemisia tabaci, Blastopsylla occidentalis, Boreioglycaspis melaleucae, Brachycaudus helichrysi, Brachycolus spp., Brevicoryne brassicae, Cacopsylla spp., Calligypona marginata, Carneocephala fulgida, Ceratovacuna lanigera, Cercopidae, Ceroplastes spp., Chaetosiphon fragaefolii, Chionaspis tegalensis, Chlorita onukii, Chondracris rosea, Chromaphis juglandicola, Chrysomphalus ficus, Cicadulina mbila, Coccomytilus halli, Coccus spp., Cryptomyzus ribis, Cryptoneossa spp., Ctenarytaina spp., Dalbulus spp., Dialeurodes citri, Diaphorina citri, Diaspis spp., Drosicha spp., Dysaphis spp., Dysmicoccus spp., Empoasca spp., Eriosoma spp., Erythroneura spp., Eucalyptolyma spp., Euphyllura spp., Euscelis bilobatus, Ferrisia spp., Geococcus coffeae, Glycaspis spp., Heteropsylla cubana, Heteropsylla spinulosa, Homalodisca coagulata, Hyalopterus arundinis, Icerya spp., Idiocerus spp., Idioscopus spp., Laodelphax striatellus, Lecanium spp., Lepidosaphes spp., Lipaphis erysimi, Macrosiphum spp., Macrosteles facifrons, Mahanarva spp., Melanaphis sacchari, Metcalfiella spp., Metopolophium dirhodum, Monellia costalis, Monelliopsis pecanis, Myzus spp., Nasonovia ribisnigri, Nephotettix spp., Nettigoniclla spectra, Nilaparvata lugens, Oncometopia spp., Orthezia praelonga, Oxya chinensis, Pachypsylla spp., Parabemisia myricae, Paratrioza spp., Parlatoria spp., Pemphigus spp., Peregrinus maidis, Phenacoccus spp., Phloeomyzus passerinii, Phorodon humuli, Phylloxera spp., Pinnaspis aspidistrae, Planococcus spp., Prosopidopsylla flava, Protopulvinaria pyriformis, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona, Pseudococcus spp., Psyllopsis spp., Psylla spp., Pteromalus spp., Pyrilla spp., Quadraspidiotus spp., Quesada gigas, Rastrococcus spp., Rhopalosiphum spp., Saissetia spp., Scaphoideus titanus, Schizaphis graminum, Selenaspidus articulatus, Sogata spp., Sogatella furcifera, Sogatodes spp., Stictocephala festina, Siphoninus phillyreae, Tenalaphara malayensis, Tetragonocephela spp., Tinocallis caryaefoliae, Tomaspis spp., Toxoptera spp., Trialeurodes vaporariorum, Trioza spp., Typhlocyba spp., Unaspis spp., Viteus vitifolii, Zygina spp.;
from the order Hymenoptera, for example, Acromyrmex spp., Athalia spp., Atta spp., Diprion spp., Hoplocampa spp., Lasius spp., Monomorium pharaonis, Sirex spp., Solenopsis invicta, Tapinoma spp., Urocerus spp., Vespa spp., Xeris spp.;
from the order Isopoda, for example, Armadillidium vulgare, Oniscus asellus, Porcellio scaber;
from the order Isoptera, for example, Coptotermes spp., Cornitermes cumulans, Cryptotermes spp., Incisitermes spp., Microtermes obesi, Odontotermes spp., Reticulitermes spp.;
from the order Lepidoptera, for example, Achroia grisella, Acronicta major, Adoxophyes spp., Aedia leucomelas, Agrotis spp., Alabama spp., Amyelois transitella, Anarsia spp., Anticarsia spp., Argyroploce spp., Barathra brassicae, Borbo cinnara, Bucculatrix thurberiella, Bupalus piniarius, Busseola spp., Cacoecia spp., Caloptilia theivora, Capua reticulana, Carpocapsa pomonella, Carposina niponensis, Cheimatobia brumata, Chilo spp., Choristoneura spp., Clysia ambiguella, Cnaphalocerus spp., Cnaphalocrocis medinalis, Cnephasia spp., Conopomorpha spp., Conotrachelus spp., Copitarsia spp., Cydia spp., Dalaca noctuides, Diaphania spp., Diatraea saccharalis, Earias spp., Ecdytolopha aurantium, Elasmopalpus lignosellus, Eldana saccharina, Ephestia spp., Epinotia spp., Epiphyas postvittana, Etiella spp., Eulia spp., Eupoecilia ambiguella, Euproctis spp., Euxoa spp., Feltia spp., Galleria mellonella, Gracillaria spp., Grapholitha spp., Hedylepta spp., Helicoverpa spp., Heliothis spp., Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Homoeosoma spp., Homona spp., Hyponomeuta padella, Kakivoria flavofasciata, Laphygma spp., Laspeyresia molesta, Leucinodes orbonalis, Leucoptera spp., Lithocolletis spp., Lithophane antennata, Lobesia spp., Loxagrotis albicosta, Lymantria spp., Lyonetia spp., Malacosoma neustria, Maruca testulalis, Mamstra brassicae, Melanitis leda, Mocis spp., Monopis obviella, Mythimna separata, Nemapogon cloacellus, Nymphula spp., Oiketicus spp., Oria spp., Orthaga spp., Ostrinia spp., Oulema oryzae, Panolis flammea, Parnara spp., Pectinophora spp., Perileucoptera spp., Phthorimaea spp., Phyllocnistis citrella, Phyllonorycter spp., Pieris spp., Platynota stultana, Plodia interpunctella, Plusia spp., Plutella xylostella, Prays spp., Prodenia spp., Protoparce spp., Pseudaletia spp., Pseudaletia unipuncta, Pseudoplusia includens, Pyrausta nubilalis, Rachiplusia nu, Schoenobius spp., Scirpophaga spp., Scirpophaga innotata, Scotia segetum, Sesamia spp., Sesamia inferens, Sparganothis spp., Spodoptera spp. (Fall Armyworm), Spodoptera praefica, Spodoptera frugiperda, Stathmopoda spp., Stomopteryx subsecivella, Synanthedon spp., Tecia solanivora, Thermesia gemmatalis, Tinea cloacella, Tinea pellionella, Tineola bisselliella, Tortrix spp., Trichophaga tapetzella, Trichoplusia spp., Tryporyza incertulas, Tuta absoluta, Virachola spp.;
from the order Orthoptera or Saltatoria, for example, Acheta domesticus, Dichroplus spp., Gryllotalpa spp., Hieroglyphus spp., Locusta spp., Melanoplus spp., Schistocerca gregaria;
from the order Phthiraptera, for example, Damalinia spp., Haematopinus spp., Linognathus spp., Pediculus spp., Ptirus pubis, Trichodectes spp.;
from the order Psocoptera for example Lepinatus spp., Liposcelis spp.;
from the order Siphonaptera, for example, Ceratophyllus spp., Ctenocephalides spp., Pulex irritans, Tunga penetrans, Xenopsylla cheopsis;
from the order Thysanoptera, for example, Anaphothrips obscurus, Baliothrips biformis, Drepanothrips reuteri, Enneothrips flavens, Frankliniella spp., Heliothrips spp., Hercinothrips femoralis, Rhipiphorothrips cruentatus, Scirtothrips spp., Taeniothrips cardamomi, Thrips spp.;
from the order Zygentoma (Thysanura), for example, Ctenolepisma spp., Lepisma saccharina, Lepismodes inquilinus, Thermobia domestica;
from the class Symphyla, for example, Scutigerella spp.;
pests from the phylum Mollusca, especially from the class Bivalvia, for example, Dreissena spp., and from the class Gastropoda, for example, Anion spp., Biomphalaria spp., Bulinus spp., Deroceras spp., Galba spp., Lymnaea spp., Oncomelania spp., Pomacea spp., Succinea spp.;
animal pests from the phylums Plathelminthes and Nematoda, for example, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Acylostoma braziliensis, Ancylostoma spp., Ascaris spp., Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, Bunostomum spp., Chabertia spp., Clonorchis spp., Cooperia spp., Dicrocoelium spp., Dictyocaulus filaria, Diphyllobothrium latum, Dracunculus medinensis, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis, Enterobius vermicularis, Faciola spp., Haemonchus spp., Heterakis spp., Hymenolepis nana, Hyostrongulus spp., Loa Loa, Nematodirus spp., Oesophagostomum spp., Opisthorchis spp., Onchocerca volvulus, Ostertagia spp., Paragonimus spp., Schistosomen spp., Strongyloides fuelleborni, Strongyloides stercoralis, Stronyloides spp., Taenia saginata, Taenia solium, Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella nativa, Trichinella britovi, Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella pseudopsiralis, Trichostrongulus spp., Trichuris trichiura, Wuchereria bancrofti;
phytoparasitic pests from the phylum Nematoda, for example, Aphelenchoides spp., Bursaphelenchus spp., Ditylenchus spp., Globodera spp., Heterodera spp., Longidorus spp., Meloidogyne spp., Pratylenchus spp., Radopholus spp., Trichodorus spp., Tylenchulus spp., Xiphinema spp., Helicotylenchus spp., Tylenchorhynchus spp., Scutellonema spp., Paratrichodorus spp., Meloinema spp., Paraphelenchus spp., Aglenchus spp., Belonolaimus spp., Nacobbus spp., Rotylenchulus spp., Rotylenchus spp., Neotylenchus spp., Paraphelenchus spp., Dolichodorus spp., Hoplolaimus spp., Punctodera spp., Criconemella spp., Quinisulcius spp., Hemicycliophora spp., Anguina spp., Subanguina spp., Hemicriconemoides spp., Psilenchus spp., Pseudohalenchus spp., Criconemoides spp., Cacopaurus spp., Hirschmaniella spp, Tetylenchus spp.
Other pests such as wireworms, for example, Agroites spp., Limonius spp., Elateridae spp., Aeolus spp., Conoderus spp., Melanotus spp., Dalopius spp. Tenebrionidae spp., Hypnoidus spp., Eleodes spp.
In an embodiment, the plant propagation material can include seeds, bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes, callus, leaflets, leaves, stems, grafts, cuttings, buds, seed pieces, grains, suckers, fruits, cut shoots and plantlets.

Thus, an aspect of the present invention provides a composition comprising:
a) fipronil as a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist;
b) thiamethoxam as a Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and
c) surfactant blend selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymer

As per a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the present invention is used for treatment of plant propagation material against Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and wireworms (Elateridae spp.)
In a certain embodiment, the composition is used as a flowable suspension for treatment of plant propagation material for protection against the said pests.
Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of treating a plant propagation material using a composition comprising a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists; b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and c) a blend of surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers. According to an embodiment, the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is selected from the group consisting of lindane, endosulfan, fipronil and dieldrin. The Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is selected from the group consisting of thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone.
In a preferred embodiment, the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and the Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is thiamethoxam in required amounts.
In an alternate embodiment, the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and the Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is any one of imidacloprid, clothianidin, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides methods of protecting a plant propagation material or a plant arising out of the plant propagation material from Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera spp.) and/or wireworm (Elateridae spp.) using a composition comprising:
a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists;
b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and
c) a blend of surfactants selected polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers

An aspect of the present invention provide methods of treating a plant propagation material using a composition comprising:
a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, preferably fipronil;
b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, preferably thiamethoxam; and
c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.
An aspect of the present invention provides a plant propagation material or a plant arising out of the plant propagation material treated with a composition comprising a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists; b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and c) a blend of surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.
In an aspect, the compositions of the present invention further comprise additional actives such as fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, plant nutrients, plant growth enhancers, biologicals etc.
Thus, in an embodiment, the present invention provides plant propagation material treating compositions comprising:
a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists;
b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist;
c) a blend of surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers; and
d) alteast one active selected from fungicides, insecticides, plant nutrients, plant growth enhancers.
A new aspect of the present invention additionally provides a kit comprising a) atleast one container including a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist; b) atleast one container including a Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and c) a blend of surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymer ; and (d) instructions for applying said GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist insecticide compound and said Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist insecticide onto the plant propagation material or surrounding area, or both.
In an alternate embodiment, the kit comprises, a combination of either of the actives selected from a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist or a Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist and a blend of surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymer, such that the other active may then be admixed before application to the plant propagation material.
In an alternate embodiment, the kit comprises, a combination of active compositions of a) atleast one container including a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist; b) atleast one container including a Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, and the surfactant blend packed separately, such that the blend and the composition of actives may be admixed before application to the plant propagation material.
The said instructions may be provided in printed form as a pamphlet, a poster, a label, a brochure or a leaflet.
The said instruction may be provided as a video, a demonstration or in a verbose manner.
In addition to already mentioned benefits of the compositions of the present invention, the use of a surfactant in strengthening the composition also offers an added advantage of uniform spreadability on the plant propagation material. As a result, the systemic spreading of the actives is enhanced and the actives are able to reach more areas of the growing plant as wastage of the actives to the surroundings is minimized. The spillage and diffusion of the actives in the planting medium is reduced, thus lowering the spread of actives to the surrounding areas, thereby reducing toxicity.
Moreover, the composition is less harmful to other organisms not belonging to invertebrates. The target receptors for the GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists and Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists in vertebrates are different from those in the invertebrates. Also, the affinity of these compounds for vertebrate receptors is lesser than that in invertebrates.
The instant invention is more specifically explained by examples given below. However, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited by the examples in any manner. It will be appreciated by any person skilled in this art that the present invention includes the given examples and further can be modified and altered without departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention which are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.
EXAMPLES:
Example 1: Flowable suspension concentrate (FS) of fipronil and thiamethoxam:
Sr. No. Ingredient Function Amount (gm/lit, %)
1 Thiamethoxam Active ingredient 27 to 30
2 Fipronil Active ingredient 13 to 14.5
3 Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer Surfactant 2.5 to 4.0
4 Acrylic copolymer solution Surfactant 2.5 to 4.0
5 Glycerin Anti-freeze agent 5.4 to 12.8
6 Organic Azo Pigment Colorant 0.5 to 2.5
7 Xanthan gum Thickener 0.10 to 0.15
8 Nonionic aqueous emulsion of polydimethylsiloxane Antifoam agent 0.30 to 0.65
9 Water Diluent QS

Required amounts of surfactant Polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and Acrylic copolymer solution, Antifreeze agent, antifoam agent, were charged in vessel, stirred and homogenized. Required quantity of thiamethoxam and fipronil were charged along with colorant, continuously agitated and homogenized. Homogenized material was fed to wet grinding mill for particle size reduction to maintain particle size <10micron. The slurry of required particle size was taken into the gelling vessel for gelling process. Xanthan gum was charged in required quantities in the gelling vessel and mixture was stirred till complete gelling occurred.
The final product contained 27 to 30% Thiamethoxam and 13 to 14.5% Fipronil.
The composition of the present invention was found to exert pronounced effect on the target pests for a prolonged period.
Example 2: Stability assay of Fipronil 175 + Thiamethoxam 350 g/L FS:

Below table shows stability data for 4 Experimental formulations:
Test Units Nominal Minimum Maximum Formulation 1 Formulation 2 Formulation 3 Formulation 4

Finished Product Specifications Ambient Ambient Ambient Ambient 14 Days AHS at 54°C
Color and Appearance Bright pink red liquid suspension Complies Complies
Thiamethoxam assay wt% 27.80 26.40 29.20 28.26 28.15
g/L 350.0 332.5 367.5 356.0 355.0
Fipronil assay wt% 13.90 13.07 14.73 14.42 14.41
g/L 175.0 164.5 185.5 181.0 182.0
Density at 25°C g/ml 1.260 1.240 1.280 1.261 1.264
Viscosity #63, 60 rpm cps --- 350 600 407 550
Particle Size d(50) micron --- 2.0 3.0 2.07
5.84 2.17
6.48
d(90) 5.0 7.0
pH neat --- 5.0 7.0 6.3 6.9
Wet Screen Test 200 mesh % --- 0.2 Nil Nil
Remark Formulation Failed in all physical parameters Formulation Failed in all physical parameters Formulation Failed in all physical parameters Formulation complies 14 days AHS

In this experiment, four formulations of Fipronil 175 + Thiamethoxam 350 g/L FS were tested for their stability.
1. Formulation 1 - polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is present and acrylic copolymer is absent
2. Formulation 2 - polyalkylene oxide block copolymer is absent and acrylic copolymer is present
3. Formulation 3 - Both polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and acrylic copolymer are absent.
4. Formulation 4 - Existing invented formulation.
It was thus found that formulating a copolymer blend of polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and acrylic copolymer with Fipronil 175 + Thiamethoxam 350 g/L FS composition resulted in surprisingly a stable formulation which complied with all the specifications required for a finished product. It was thus concluded that a copolymer blend of polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and acrylic copolymer results in a stable FS formulation of fipronil and thiamethoxam.
,CLAIMS:1. A composition comprising
a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists;
b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists; and
c) a blend of surfactants from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is selected from lindane, endosulfan, fipronil and dieldrin.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said the Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is selected from thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone.

4. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and the said Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is thiamethoxam.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said composition further comprises at least one excipient selected from a colorant, a thickener, an antifreeze agent, a biocide, anti-foam agent, or a mixture thereof.

6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition is a flowable suspension.

7. A composition comprising
a) fipronil as a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist;
b) thiamethoxam as a Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; and
c) surfactant blend selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymer

8. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition is a flowable suspension.

9. The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition is used to treat a plant propagation material against Fall Armyworm.

10. A method of treating a plant propagation material using a composition, wherein the said composition comprises:
a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists;
b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists; and
c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is selected from lindane, endosulfan, fipronil and dieldrin.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said the Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is selected from thiamethoxam, imidacloprid, clothianidin, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone.

13. A method of treating a plant propagation material using a composition comprising:
a) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, preferably fipronil;
b) atleast one insecticide selected from the group of Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist, preferably thiamethoxam; and
c) a blend of surfactants selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers.

14. A kit comprising:
a) atleast one container including a GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist;
b) atleast one container including an Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist;
c) a blend of surfactant selected from surfactant selected from polyalkylene oxide block copolymer and graft copolymers; and
(d) instructions for applying said GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist insecticide compound and said Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist insecticide onto the plant propagation material or surrounding area, or both.

15. The composition as claimed in claim 14, wherein the said GABA-gated chloride channel antagonist is fipronil and the said Acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist is thiamethoxam.