DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fungicidal composition, more particularly to a novel fungicidal composition comprising Hexaconazole and Validamycin as active ingredients present in an effective amount and a method of preparation of the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Rice is the staple food crop for a large part of the human population in the world today. The crop failure, for any reason, poses a real threat of starvation. Rice blast, caused by a fungus Magnaporthe grisea is by far the most important disease of the many diseases that attack rice. The fungus causes formation of lesions on the leaves, stems, peduncles, panicles, seeds and even roots. So great is the potential threat for crop failure from this disease that it has been ranked among the most important plant diseases of them all. The rice blast fungus is found wherever rice is grown and is a major threat. Each year the fungus is estimated to destroy enough rice that can feed more than 60 million people. Failures of entire rice crops have resulted directly from rice blast epidemics. There is a need for more effective agents for protecting plants, including rice, from damage caused by this pathogen.
Fungicides are compounds, of natural or synthetic origin, which act to protect plants against damage caused by fungi. Current methods of agriculture rely heavily on the use of fungicides. In fact, some crops cannot be grown usefully without the use of fungicides. The use of fungicides allows a grower to increase the yield and the quality of the crop and consequently increase the value of the crop. In most situations the increase in value of the crop is worth at least three times the cost of the use of the fungicides.
Unfortunately, no one fungicide is useful in all situations and repeated usage of a single fungicide frequently leads to the development of resistance. Consequently, research is being conducted to produce fungicides and combinations of fungicides that are safer, that have better performance, that require lower dosages, that are easier to use, and that are less expensive. Combinations are also being studied that produce synergism, i.e., the biological activity of two, or more, compounds exceeds the biological activities of the compounds when used alone.
Fungicides are often combined in mixtures for three main reasons: (i) to widen the spectrum of fungicidal activity so as to control several fungi simultaneously affecting a crop; (ii) to exploit additive and synergistic interactions between fungicides, by which the overall activity of combination of two or more fungicides is increased and the concentrations of the individual compounds can be reduced without the loss of activity; and (iii) to delay the selection process of resistant individuals in fungal population to one component of the mixture. Combinations of fungal control agents have been studied, but a high synergistic action has not always been found.
In view of the above, obtaining a fungicidal composition which demonstrates no cross-resistance to existing fungicidal agents, no toxicity problems and negligible impact on the environment is extremely difficult.
Hexaconazole, IUPAC Name (RS)-2-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-1-(1H-1, 2, 4-triazol-1-yl) hexan-2-ol (Molecular formula: C14H17Cl2N3O Molecular weight: 314.2) was introduced in the year 1986. Hexaconazole is a curative and protective systemic fungicide which inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis (sterol demethylation inhibitor). Ergosterol is a component of yeast and other fungal cell membranes, serving many of the same functions that cholesterol serves in animal cells. As many fungi and protozoa cannot survive without ergosterol, the enzymes that create it have become important targets for drug discovery.
Hexaconazole controls many fungi, particularly Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, e.g., Podosphaera leucotricha and Venturia inaequalis on apples, Guignardia bidwellii and Uncinula necator on vines, Hemileia vastatrix on coffee and Cercospora spp. on peanuts. It is used to control powdery mildew of chillies, grapes and mango, fruit rot of chillies, early and late blight of potatoes, scab of apple, blast and sheath blight of paddy, tikka leaf spot of groundnut, rust of soybean, blister blight of tea etc.
Validamycin (IUPAC- 1L-(1,3,4/2,6)-2,3-dihydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-4-[(1S, 4R, 5S, 6S)-4,5,6-trihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylcyclohex-2-enylamino]cyclohexyl-?-D-glucopyranoside, Molecular formula- C20H35NO13, Molecular weight- 497.5) was reported to be an antibiotic by T. Iwasa et al. in J. Antibot., 1970, 23, 595 and was introduced in the year 1972. Validamycin is a non-systemic antibiotic with a fungistatic action. It causes abnormal branching of the tips of the pathogen, followed by cessation of further development. It inhibits trehalase, an enzyme which mediates the digestion of the carbohydrate trehalose and transport of glucose to the hyphals tips.
Validamycin controls the fungus Rhizoctonia solani in rice, potatoes, vegetables, strawberries, tobacco, ginger and other crops, sheath blight of paddy and wheat, false smut of paddy, black smut of wheat, leaf blight of corn, scab of apple and pear, ring rot of apple and pear, powdery mildew, Fusarium wilt and early blight of vegetables, damping-off diseases of cotton, rice and sugar beet etc.
It was observed that using the combination formulation comprising Hexaconazole and Validamycin in the ranges in accordance with the present invention leads to much better percentile control of the different fungi like blast, blight, smut, scab, rot and wilt etc. in comparison to the individual commercial formulations. Therefore, it will control almost all major fungal diseases in paddy, wheat, fruits and vegetables. Apart from this, it will have antibiotic action that arises from Validamycin. Reduced volumes of spray in comparison to individual commercial formulations are required and this considerably reduces the spray of individual active ingredients in the combination formulations. Lower grams per hectare of the active ingredients are sprayed than the individual commercial formulations. Consequently, the residual amount of fungicides in the crops is also much lower, which reduces the environmental load along with occupational hazard to the applicators considerably. Thus, the toxic effects of the residues of the active ingredients on the biotic and abiotic part of the ecosystem are minimized.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel fungicidal composition which demonstrates a high controlling effect of fungi along with reduced crop production cost and reduced environmental load. Accordingly, the present invention provides a novel fungicidal composition comprising Hexaconazole and Validamycin.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel fungicidal composition for wide spectrum control of various fungi like blast, blight, smut, scab, rot, wilt etc. delaying the pre-eminence of the resistant strains, minimizing the risk of development of resistance, and achieving effective and economical control of undesired fungi. It also provides the method of preparation of the said novel fungicidal composition.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provided a novel fungicidal composition comprising hexaconazole and validamycin as active ingredients present in an effective amount.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, hexaconazole is present in an amount of 2.50-5.00% w/w.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, hexaconazole is preferably present in an amount of 5.00% w/w.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, validamycin is present in an amount of 1.50-3.00% w/w.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, validamycin is preferably present in an amount of 2.5% w/w.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the novel fungicidal composition further comprises of a plurality of anti-freezing agents, fillers, anti-foaming agent, dispersing/wetting agents, viscosity modifiers, biocide and solvents alone or in combination thereof.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the anti-freezing agent is present in an amount of 5.00-8.00% w/w.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the anti-freezing agent is selected from the group consisting of diols.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the anti-freezing agent is preferably propylene glycol.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the filler is present in an amount of 1.00-3.00% w/w.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the filler is selected from the group consisting of silicates.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the filler is preferably precipitated silica.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 1.00-3.00% w/w.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the anti-foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of Silicon based defoamers.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the anti-foaming agent is preferably Unisil.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the dispersing/wetting agent is present in an amount of 3.00-5.00% w/w.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the dispersing/wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of combination products.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the dispersing/wetting agent is preferably combination of phosphate ester and epoxylated sulphate amine salt.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the viscosity modifier is present in an amount of 0.20-0.30% w/w.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the viscosity modifier is selected from the group consisting of natural polysaccharides.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the viscosity modifier is preferably xanthan gum.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the biocide is present in an amount of 0.10-0.30% w/w.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the biocide is selected from the group consisting of aldehydes.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the biocide is preferably formaldehyde.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the solvent is demineralized water.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, the novel fungicidal composition is formulated as a Soluble Liquid (SL), Suspension Concentrate (SC), Wettable Powder (WP), Water Dispersible Granules (WDG), etc.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the novel fungicidal composition is formulated as a Suspension Concentrate (SC) by the known procedure.
The novel fungicidal composition of the present invention is found to be useful in protecting a wide range of crops like paddy, wheat, fruits and vegetables against various fungi like blast, blight, smut, scab, rot and wilt etc. Apart from this, it will have antibiotic action. The composition achieves improved biological performance in single application by enhancing overall control of fungi over a shorter period of time. Additional benefits of using the fungicidal composition of the present invention include reduced risk of occupational exposure and hazards, lower cost of application, better cost-benefit ratio to the end users, reduced fuel cost and labour cost, savings in applicator’s time and reduced wear of equipment and losses caused by mechanical damage to the crops and soil.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 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” means the percentage by weight, relative to the weight of the total solution or composition unless otherwise specified.
As used herein, the expressions “SL formulation”, “SC formulation”, “WP formulation” and “WDG formulation” are the international denominations adopted by the FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) to designate “soluble liquid”, “aqueous suspension of solid fine particles”, “wettable powder” and “water dispersible granules” respectively.
The present invention relates to a novel fungicidal composition comprising hexaconazole and validamycin as active ingredients present in an effective amount and the methods of preparing the same.
Hexaconazole is a triazole fungicide mainly used in prevention and treatment of Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes, diseases caused by imperfect fungi, diseases caused by powdery mildew, rust, scab, leaf spot, anthracnose. Hexaconazole has a broad spectrum of treatment, protection and eradication effect. It controls many fungi, particularly Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, e.g., Podosphaera leucotricha and Venturia inaequalis on apples, Guignardia bidwellii and Uncinula necator on vines, Hemileia vastatrix on coffee and Cercospora spp. on peanuts. It is used to control powdery mildew of chillies, grapes and mango, fruit rot of chillies, early and late blight of potatoes, scab of apple, blast and sheath blight of paddy, tikka leaf spot of groundnut, rust of soybean, blister blight of tea etc. Hexaconazole is a curative and protective systemic fungicide which inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis (sterol demethylation inhibitor). In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, hexaconazole is present in an amount of 2.50-5.00% w/w. In a preferred embodiment, the hexaconazole is present in an amount of 5.00% w/w.
The antifungal antibiotic validamycin is a compound of commercial interest due to its wide application in controlling fungal infections of rice plants caused by Rhizoctonia solani (also referred to as Pellicularia sasakii) (Shibata et al., J. Antibiot. (Tokyo) 35:1422-1423, 1982). Structurally, validamycin includes an unsaturated aminocyclitol unit valienamine, the saturated aminocyclitol unit validamine and glucose. The valienamine moiety is believed to be the pharmacophore of this compound and is also present in a number of other important aminocyclitols, such as the a-glucosidase inhibitors acarbose, the adiposins, the amylostatins, and the trestatins. In addition, the valienamine unit is a synthetic precursor of the clinically used antidiabetic agent voglibose (Horii, J. Takeda Res. Lab. 52: 1-26, 1993). It causes abnormal branching of the tips of the pathogen, cessation of further development, inhibits trehalase, an enzyme which mediates the digestion of the carbohydrate trehalose and transport of glucose to the hyphals tips. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, validamycin is present in an amount of 1.50-3.00% w/w. In a preferred embodiment, validamycin is present in an amount of 2.50% w/w.
The novel fungicidal composition of present invention further comprises a plurality of anti-freezing agent, filler, anti-foaming agent, dispersing/wetting agent, viscosity modifier, biocide and solvents alone or in combination thereof.
In an embodiment of the invention, the anti-freezing agent is selected from a group consisting of diols and is present in an amount of 5.00-8.00% w/w. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anti-freezing agent is preferably propylene glycol and present in an amount of 5.00% w/w.
The filler for the use in the novel fungicidal composition of present invention is selected from a group consisting of silicates and is present in an amount of 1.00-3.00% w/w. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the filler is preferably precipitated silica and present in an amount of 2.00% w/w.
The anti-foaming agent for the use in the novel fungicidal composition of present invention is selected from a group consisting of silicon based defoamers and is present in an amount of 1.00-3.00% w/w. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the anti-foaming agent is preferably Unisil and present in an amount of 2.00% w/w.
The dispersing/wetting agent for the use in the novel fungicidal composition of present invention is selected from a group consisting of combination products and is present in an amount of 3.00-5.00% w/w. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the dispersing/wetting agent is preferably combination of phosphate ester and epoxylated sulphate amine salt and present in an amount of 4.00% w/w.
The viscosity modifier for the use in the novel fungicidal composition of present invention is selected from a group consisting of natural polysaccharides and is present in an amount of 0.20-0.30% w/w. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the viscosity modifier is preferably xanthan gum and present in an amount of 0.25% w/w.
The biocide for the use in the novel fungicidal composition of present invention is selected from a group consisting of aldehydes and is present in an amount of 0.10-0.30% w/w. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the biocide is preferably formaldehyde and present in an amount of 0.20% w/w.
The solvent contemplated for the present invention is demineralized water and used in quantity sufficient (q.s.).
The term "quantity sufficient" used in reference to the amounts of ingredients is commonly understood in the art to mean the quantity required to make up volume of the composition and is generally readily determined by the persons skilled in the formulation arts. The term “quantity sufficient” can be interchangeably used as "q.s".
Another objective of the present invention is to formulate a novel fungicidal composition as a Soluble Liquid (SL), Suspension Concentrate (SC), Wettable Powder (WP), Water Dispersible Granules (WDG), etc. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the novel fungicidal composition is formulated as a Suspension Concentrate (SC).
The novel fungicidal composition of present invention in Suspension Concentrate (SC) form also provides the method for preparation of the said formulation.
In accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of preparing a Suspension Concentrate (SC) formulation for a novel fungicidal composition comprising hexaconazole and validamycin. All the raw materials were verified for conformance to the laid down individual specifications. In a high speed homogenizer (2000 RPM) reactor provided with a cooling jacket containing required amount of water, propylene glycol is added with slow stirring at approximately 80 RPM. To this solution, precipitated silica is added with slow stirring at approximately 80 RPM. Required amount of combination product of phosphate ester and epoxylated sulphate amine salt is added with slow stirring at approximately 80 RPM. To this resulting mixture, defoamer is added with slow stirring. Hexaconazole technical is then added slowly with stirring at 2000 RPM. Thereinafter requisite amount of validamycin technical is added with stirring at 2000 RPM. The resulting mixture is mixed well at 2000 RPM for 2 hours and cooled to 15°C thereafter. This is followed by milling with bead mill to get particle size less than 15 microns. The product hence formed is transferred after milling to another vessel having rotation speed of 60-80 RPM. Additional defoamer, 2% xanthan gum solution, water is added to make the volume. The batch quality parameters were checked for conformity to the laid down specifications. The material was packed as per the requirement after quality approval.
The novel fungicidal composition of present invention provides a wide spectrum control of fungi, delaying the pre-eminence of the resistant strains, minimizing the risk of development of resistance, and achieving effective and economical control of undesired fungi.
The present invention is more particularly described in the following examples that are intended as illustrations only, since numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention will be apparent to the people skilled in the art. Unless otherwise noted, all parts, percentages and ratios reported in the following examples are on a weight basis and all reagents used in the examples were obtained or are available from the chemical suppliers.
Examples 1-6
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 1-6 that are tabulated in Table 1 are formulated as a Suspension Concentrate (SC) formulation.

Table 1: Examples of the novel fungicidal compositions of present invention
Component Function Examples
1 2 3 4 5 6
Hexaconazole *A.I 5.00 5.00 2.50 3.00 2.50 3.00
Validamycin *A.I 2.50 3.00 3.00 1.50 2.50 2.50
Propylene glycol Anti-freezing agent 5.00 5.50 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00
Precipitated silica Filler 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Unisil defoamer Anti-foaming agent 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00
Combination of phosphate ester and epoxylated sulphate amine salt Dispersing/wetting agent 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00
Xanthan gum Viscosity modifier 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Formaldehyde Biocide 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.20
Demineralized water Solvent **QS **QS **QS **QS **QS **QS
*A.I = Active ingredient
**QS=Quantity sufficient
The aforementioned novel fungicidal composition can be formulated as Suspension Concentrate (SC) by the process described in Example 6 below.
Example 7
Process of preparation of novel fungicidal composition in Suspension Concentrate (SC) formulation of present invention
The novel fungicidal compositions of Examples 1-6 are prepared by the process described hereinafter. The process to manufacture 100 kg batch size of fungicidal composition comprising hexaconazole and validamycin is provided.
40.00 kg of water was placed in a high speed homogenizer (2000 RPM) reactor with cooling jacket. To this reactor, 5.00 kg of propylene glycol was added with slow stirring at approximately 80 RPM. To the resulting solution, 2.00 kg of precipitated silica was added with slow stirring at approximately 80 RPM. 4.00 kg of combination of phosphate ester and epoxylated sulphate amine salt was added with slow stirring at approximately 80 RPM followed by addition of 1.00 kg of defoamer with slow stirring. Thereafter, 5.50 kg of hexaconazole technical was slowly added with stirring at 2000 RPM. To the resulting solution, 4.06 kg of validamycin technical was slowly added with stirring at 2000 RPM. The entire mixture was mixed well at 2000 RPM for 2 hours followed by cooling to 15°C.
After cooling the above mixture, was milled with bead mill to get particle size less than 15 microns. The product hence obtained was transferred to another vessel having rotation speed of 60-80 RPM. Balance 1.00 kg defoamer and 12.50 kg of 2% xanthan gum solution were added. Water was added to make up to 100 kg.
Thereafter the batch was checked for quality parameters for conformity to laid down specifications and the material was packed as per requirement after quality approval.
Example 8
Evaluation of the synergistic fungicidal effect of Hexaconazole and Validamycin
In the evaluation a field trial was conducted on Paddy to evaluate the fungicidal control of diseases i.e. Blast (Pyricularia oryzae cavara) and Blight (Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae) with hexaconazole and validamycin alone and in binary mixture, as a foliar application. The binary mixture was prepared by the process described in example 7. Commercially available compositions of Hexaconazole 5% SC (Harmony) and Validamycin 3% L (Wilpower) were diluted with water to the stated concentration of the active compound.
Applications were made with a backpack type sprayer fitted with a pressure regulator and a vertical bar with one hollow cone nozzle. Experiment design was in random blocks with four repetitions, and each plot was measured in an area of 25 sq. Mts. The rate of application was 500 I/ha for all the trials. The disease incidence (PDI) per hill on the ten hills per plot was assessed 10 days post-application (DAA).
Using the above process, hexaconazole was evaluated alone and in combination with Validamycin at different doses and in combination.
Table 2 below summarizes the individual and combined treatments for disease spectrum at different concentrations of Hexaconazole and Validamycin.
Table 2: Treatment details for evaluation of bio-efficacy of novel fungicidal composition against fungi on paddy crop
Particulars Treatment A.I. percentages Dose (a. i. gm/acre) Volume of formulation (ml)
T1 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 5.00% + 2.50% 37.50 + 18.75 750
T2 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 5.00% + 2.50% 50.00 + 25.00 1000
T3 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 5.00% + 2.50% 62.50 + 31.25 1250
T4 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 5.00% + 2.50% 75.00 + 37.50 1500
T5 Validamycin 3.00% 60.00 2000
T6 Hexaconazole 5.00% 50.00 1000
T7 Control (untreated check) --- ---
**A.I = Active ingredient
The effectiveness of the individual and the combined treatments for control of disease spectrum for paddy crop at different concentrations of Hexaconazole and Validamycin to demonstrate synergistic impact of Hexaconazole 5.00% + Validamycin 2.50% SC combination formulation is summarized in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Effectiveness of Hexaconazole 5.00% + Validamycin 2.50% SC, Validamycin 3% L & Hexaconazole 5% SC for Control of Disease Spectrum on Paddy Crop Demonstrating Synergistic Impact of Hexaconazole 5.00% + Validamycin 2.50% SC Combination Formulation
Treatment Leaf blast (PDI) Sheath Blight (PDI) Rice Smut (PDI)
10 days after 1st spray
10 days after 2nd spray
10 days after 3rd spray 10 days after 1st spray
10 days after 2nd spray
10 days after 3rd spray 10 days after 1st spray
10 days after 2nd spray
10 days after 3rd spray
T1 11.1
(19.5) 28.8
(32.5) 33.3
(35.2) 33.3
(35.2) 45.2
(42.2) 55.5
(48.2) 9.2
(17.65) 15.3
(23.05) 24.6
(29:75)
T2 11.1
(19.5) 28.8
(32.5) 33.3
(35.2) 28.8
(32.5) 38.8
(38.5) 42.2
(40.5) 8.5
(16.94) 14
(21.96) 22.5
(28.30)
T3 8.0
(16.4) 24.6
(29.7) 28.8
(32.5) 14.0
(22.0) 24.5
(29.7) 33.3
(35.2) 7.4
(15.78) 12.5
(20.69) 20.3
(26.80)
T4 8.0
(16.4) 24.2
(29.5) 28.8
(32.5) 13.8
(21.8) 25.5
(30.3) 33.3
(35.2) 7.2
(15.56) 11
(19.36) 19.6
(26.30)
T5 9.5
(17.9) 26.6
(31.1) 35.5
(36.6) 28.8
(32.5) 31.6
(34.2) 42.2
(40.5) 8.1
(16.55) 13.5
(21.56) 22.5
(28.33)
T6 11.1
(19.5) 33.3
(35.2) 42.2
(40.5) 23.9
(29.3) 28.8
(32.5) 34.5
(36.0) 9.3
(17.75) 16
(23.55) 23.6
(29.05)
T7 15.5
(23.2) 38.8
(38.5) 55.5
(48.2) 55.5
(48.2) 68.5
(55.9) 82.5
(65.3) 14.3
(22.25) 21.3
(26.15) 30.5
(33.50)

#CD 5%
0.32
0.45
1.19
0.98
1.43
1.12
0.92
1.38
0.99
*Figures in parenthesis indicate arcsine transformed values.
#CD 5%: Critical Difference
To find out the most effective and economical treatment, the cost-benefit analysis of each treatment was worked out for different treatments of Table 2. Cost benefit ratio (BCR), defined as the number of times the fungicide control cost was recouped from the value for the increased yield and was calculated as:
Cost benefit ratio = Gross Return – (Cost of Chemical + Cost of Cultivation)/ (Cost of Chemical + Cost of Cultivation)
The yield of the paddy crop hence obtained along with the cost benefit ratio is summarized in Table 4 below.
Table 4: Treatment wise yield data of paddy crop
Treatment Treatment Yield (kg/ha) Cost benefit ratio
T1 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 35.7 1.44
T2 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 39.33 1.67
T3 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 39.81 1.68
T4 Hexaconazole + Validamycin 40.05 1.68
T5 Validamycin 36.24 1.45
T6 Hexaconazole 34.56 1.38
T7 Control (untreated check) 24.35 0.70
#CD 5% - 0.20 -
#CD 5%: Critical Difference
The aforementioned trial results indicate that the Hexaconazole 5.00% + Validamycin 2.50% SC composition of present invention is most effective against all the target fungi and better crop condition at treatment level of T2.
From the foregoing it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effectuated without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitations with respect to the specific embodiments illustrated is intended or should be inferred. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. A novel fungicidal composition comprising hexaconazole and validamycin as active ingredients present in an effective amount.
2. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein hexaconazole is present in an amount of 2.50-5.00% w/w.
3. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein hexaconazole is preferably present in an amount of 5.00% w/w.
4. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein validamycin is present in an amount of 1.50-3.00% w/w.
5. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 and 4, wherein validamycin is preferably present in an amount of 2.5% w/w.
6. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the novel fungicidal composition further comprises of a plurality of anti-freezing agents, fillers, anti-foaming agent, dispersing/wetting agents, viscosity modifiers, biocide and solvents alone or in combination thereof.
7. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1 to 6, wherein the anti-freezing agent is present in an amount of 5.00-8.00% w/w.
8. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 7, wherein the anti-freezing agent is selected from the group consisting of diols.
9. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 8, the anti-freezing agent is preferably propylene glycol.
10. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1 to 6, wherein the filler is present in an amount of 1.00-3.00% w/w.
11. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 10, wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of silicates.
12. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 11, wherein the filler is preferably precipitated silica.
13. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 6, wherein the anti-foaming agent is present in an amount of 1.00-3.00% w/w.
14. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 14, the anti-foaming agent is selected from the group consisting of silicon based defoamers.
15. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 15, wherein the anti-foaming agent is preferably unisil.
16. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1 to 6, wherein the dispersing/wetting agent is present in an amount of 3.00-5.00% w/w.
17. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 16, wherein the dispersing/wetting agent is selected from the group consisting of combination products.
18. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 17, wherein the dispersing/wetting agent is preferably combination of phosphate ester and epoxylated sulphate amine salt.
19. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1 to 6, wherein the viscosity modifier is present in an amount of 0.20-0.30% w/w.
20. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 19, wherein the viscosity modifier is selected from the group consisting of natural polysaccharides.
21. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 20, wherein the viscosity modifier is preferably xanthan gum.
22. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims to 1 to 6, wherein the biocide is present in an amount of 0.10-0.30% w/w.
23. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 22, wherein the biocide is selected from the group consisting of aldehydes.
24. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 23, wherein the biocide is preferably formaldehyde.
25. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1 to 6, wherein the solvent is demineralized water.
26. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claims 1 to 25, wherein the novel fungicidal composition is formulated as a soluble liquid (SL), suspension concentrate (SC), Wettable Powder (WP), Water Dispersible Granules (WDG), etc.
27. The novel fungicidal composition as claimed in claim 1 to 26, wherein the novel fungicidal composition is preferably formulated as a Suspension Concentrate (SC) by the known procedure.