Claims:
1. A composition for protecting a legume crop against one or more fungal pathogens and/or one or more insect pests, the composition comprising in combination: azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam, and carbendazim.

2. The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition comprising azoxystrobinin an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% w/w, thiamethoxamin an amount ranging from 1% to 60% w/w, and carbendazim in an amount ranging from 1% to 30% w/w.

3. The composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein the composition comprising azoxystrobinin an amount of 1.5% w/w, thiamethoxamin an amount of 30% w/w, and carbendazimin an amount of 8.0% w/w.

4. The composition as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 further comprising: at least one solvent, at least one surfactant, at least one biocide agent, and at least one anti-freezing agent.

5. The composition as claimed in claim 4, further comprising one or more agents selected from the group consisting of an anti-foaming agent, a rheology modifier, a binding agent, a colouring agent, and a filler.

6. A liquid suspension formulation comprising a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method of protecting a legume crop against one or more seed-borne and soil-borne diseases or one or more insect pests, the method comprising:
providing a composition comprising azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam and carbendazim; and
applying an effective amount of the composition to the legume crop.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition comprising azoxystrobin in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% w/w, thiamethoxam in an amount ranging from 1% to 60% w/w, and carbendazim in an amount ranging from 1% to 30% w/w.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition comprising azoxystrobin in an amount of 1.5% w/w, thiamethoxam in an amount of 30% w/w, and carbendazim in an amount of 8.0% w/w.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a liquid suspension formulation.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the legume crop is selected from the group consisting of groundnut, soybean, lentil, pigeon pea, chickpea, garden pea, black gram, green gram and kidney bean.

12. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the one or more seed-borne and soil-borne diseases are selected from the group consisting of collar rot, root rot, wilt, charcoal rot, stem rot, damping off; and the one or more insect pests are selected from the group consisting of white grub, termites, wireworms, beetles, girdle beetle, cutworms, shoot fly, root worms, aphids, jassids, thrips, whitefly and stem fly.

13. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein applying an effective amount of the composition to the legume crop comprises applying by spraying on seeds, by drenching, by seed mixing, by seed coating, by seed pelleting, by using drip irrigation, and by in-furrow spray over seeds.

14. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition is applied to the legume crop in an amount ranging from 200ml/100kg seeds to 2000 ml/100 kg seeds.

15. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the composition is applied to the legume crop in an amount ranging from 400ml/100kg seeds to 1200ml/100kg seeds.
, Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure pertains to technical field of agrochemical compositions. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to synergistic compositions and formulations thereof capable of protecting seeds, seedling and growing plants from harmful effects of seed-borne and soil borne pathogenic fungi and/or insect pests. The present disclosure also pertains to method of protecting a legume crop from attack by seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or agricultural insect pests without adverse impact on root nodulation bacteria (nitrogen fixation bacteria).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] It is well accepted that agricultural production must be increased considerably in the foreseeable future to meet the food and feed demands of a rising human population and increasing livestock production. Biotic factors such as, weeds, insect pests, pathogens and viruses are the major limiting factors to achieve desired productivity of crops. Every year, these pests destroy an estimated 20 to 40% of agricultural crops and even more than that under epidemic conditions. Crop damages start immediately from sowing of the seeds by seed-borne and soil-borne pests and diseases and subsequent damages occur during advancement of plants growth from vegetative to reproductive stages as well as post-harvest damages during transportation and storages.
[0004] The use of pesticides to control pests in crops is a widespread practice that has gained a high degree of commercial success because it has been shown to increase crop yield by controlling pests and diseases of the cultivated crops. To prevent or controlling the pests and diseases, the pesticides are generally used either foliar application or seed treatment.
[0005] Seeds and seedlings are highly vulnerable to many soil-borne, seed-borne pests and diseases which can destroy germinating seeds, seedlings and young plants that are relatively tender and lack food reserves to recover from injuries.
[0006] Legume crops play a crucial role in terms of food and nutritional security and are an important pillar of sustainable food production globally. Some legumes like groundnuts or peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and soybean (Glycine max), are a good source of edible oil for human diet as well as animal feed, while otherlegumes (also called pulses) like bengal gram or chickpea (Cicer arietinum), pigeonpea or red gram (Cajanus cajan), lentil (Lens culinaris), urdbean or black gram (Vigna mungo), mungbean or green gram (Vigna radiata) and pea (Pisum sativum) are major sources of dietary protein, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals for human beings and animal. Moreover, nitrogen that the legume crop absorbs from air, by nitrogen fixation Rhizobium bacteria, is used for its own growth and is stored in the root nodules. When the crop is harvested the roots are left in the ground, where they decompose and releasing nitrogen into the soil. This nitrogen can then be used by the next crop that is planted in the same field, hence legume crops are good source to improve soil fertility. Mostly, legume crops are grown under rain fed or with limited irrigation condition, low fertility, problematic soils and unpredictable environmental conditions and other abiotic stress conditions which are considered to be the major constraints to achieve desired productivity of legume crops.
[0007] Aspergillus spp. is a soil-borne pathogen that can attack seeds, seedlings, roots and crowns of many crop plant species including groundnut and other legumes and vegetable crops. Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus is the causal agent of collar rot (or crown rot) disease in groundnut. The pathogen attacks the seeds and emerging seedlings but may also affect older plants from mid to late season. The collar rot is widespread throughout tropical and subtropical area, but the disease can also develop in temperate countries when hot dry conditions exist. Collar rot of groundnut is essentially a post-emergence disease, but the pre-emergence phase where the seeds may rot and become covered with sooty black masses of spores can occur. On germination, emerging hypocotyl is rapidly killed by the lesion below to ground, resulting in rotting of the seedling before their emergence from the soil. In the post emergence phase, crown rot is characterised in the field by wilting and death of the seedlings. Under relatively moist conditions, accompanied by the high atmospheric humidity and high temperature prevailing during the monsoon period, hypocotyl rot itself is seen first as a yellowish-brown lesion that extends into the plant tissue, and affected collar region becomes shredded with a lapse of time and shows profusely sporulation, black growth of the causal fungus. Eventually, the hypocotyl becomes blackened and rotten. Most affected plants die within 30days of planting, which leads to patchy crop stand.
[0008] Aspergillus niger is a saprophyte found in almost every type of the tropical and subtropical soil. It can tolerate low soil moisture and develops best as temperature between 30-35°C. It can survive on seed or in the soil. It may be carried in or under seed coat. Seeds become infected during the last days of the maturation in the soil and also during harvesting, shelling, and handling. Both soil-borne and seed-borne inocula serve as primary source of infection and adversely affect the seed germination. The fungus enters the host through a wound on the seed coat or through the stem, and the cotyledons usually act as the site for primary infection. Once the fungus is established on cotyledons, it grows into the collar region and causes collar rot of the seedling.
[0009] Fungal infection occurring within 50 days of sowing from untreated seed caused serious losses and can kill up to 40% of the plant stand. Collar rot alone caused annual world yield losses of more than 10% in groundnut crop (Pande S. and RoaJ.N.; International Arachis Newsletter, 20, 42-44, 2000). In another document, the pathogen (Aspergillus niger) was reported to cause damage to an extent 26% in different groundnut genotypes (Narain and Kar A.K.;Crop Research,3, 257-262, 1990). Yet in another document, the loss due to this disease was reported 28 to 50% (Ghewande et al.;NRCG Bull.; 8-9, 2002).
[00010] The incidence of collar rot disease is positively correlated with the high soil inoculum levels and is more prevalent in fields continuously cropped with peanuts. The main carryover inoculum from season to season is through plant debris in the soil. Adverse weather conditions, extreme fluctuations in soil moisture, poor seed quality, seedling damage from pesticides or fertilizer application, and any other factor that delays emergence are associated with the diseases.
[00011] In addition of collar rot diseases, Macrophomina phaseolina (or Rhizoctonia bataticola) and Sclerotium rolfsii are other serious soil-bornepathogen which caused dry root rot (or charcoal rot) and stem rot (or white rot), respectively, in groundnut as well as other various crops like pea, chickpea, black gram, maize soybean, cotton, sunflower, tomato, chilli and okra. Similarly fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum, is also very common soil-borne disease in pulses, oil seed and vegetable crops. However, these are primarily root inhibiting fungus and occur either in multiple pathogen complex or single pathogen, irrespective of soil types, cropping system and cultivars used and are widespread throughout tropical and subtropical crops when they are weakened by other stress factors like high temperature, low soil moisture, soil pH. Around 55-85% crop loss due to dry root rot was recorded in groundnut in India under severe condition (Sharma et al., J. Agri. Sci.; 8, 48-59, 2012). Similarly, dry root rot disease in chickpea is caused incidence ranged from 5 to 50%, irrespective of soil types, cropping system and cultivars used (Sharma. M. et al., Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection;48, 797-812, 2016).
[00012] In addition of seed and soil-borne pathogens, white grubs and termites are the most destructive soil-borne insect pests for the crops grown under tropical and sub-tropical climatic condition like, sorghum, chilli, cluster bean, pearl millet, maize, soybean, sugarcane, cotton, citrus, vegetables, cereals and other fruit plants.
[00013] In view of the above, there exists a need to find out effective seed treatment compositions and formulations to combat serious seed-borne and soil-borne diseases particularly, but not limited to collar rot and dry root rot, as well as soil-borne insect pests like white grub, termites, and root worms in tropical and sub-tropical crops like groundnut, soybean and chickpea etc. Long duration protection of seeds, seedling and growing plants from seed and soil-borne diseases and/or insect pests is another requirement to get successful harvest of legume crops.
[00014] Different seed treatment pesticides are traditionally used alone or in combination to address or prevent a number of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies and to enhance plant growth of large varieties of crops. These include fungicides, insecticides, inoculants, plant growth regulators, fertilizers and fertilizer enhancers. Seed treatment with pesticides has the advantages of providing for the protection of seeds and seedlings from pests and diseases, while reducing the amount of pesticide that is required (compared to foliar application of pesticides or broad application to soil) and limiting the amount of contact of workers with the pesticide. Further seed treatment is one of the most cost-effective and safest approaches to prevent a number of pests and diseases. Seed treatment can therefore be considered insurance for more uniform and better plant stands and reduced need for reseeding.
[00015] The most commonly used seed treatment fungicides include, captan, carboxin, difenoconazole, fludioxonil, imazalil, mefenoxam, tebuconazole, thiabendazole, thiram, triadimenol, carbendazim, thiophanate methyl, pyroclostrobin, azoxystrobin, mancozeb etc. While commonly used seed treatment insecticides include, chlorpyriphos, diazinon, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, fipronil, ethiprol, permethrin, tefluthrin, carbosulfan, chlorantraniliprole etc. These are either used as single chemical compound or in combination of two or more chemical compounds. These seed treatment pesticides are used by different type of formulation like dry powder seed treatments (DS), wettable powders for seed treatment slurry (WS), solution for seed treatment (LS), flowable suspension concentrate for seed treatments (FS), aqueous capsule suspension (CS), emulsion for seed treatments (ES), microcapsule seed treatments (CF), water dispersible granule seed treatments (WG), containing either single pesticide compound or multiple pesticide compounds.
[00016] Typical problems with existing seed treatment solutions are arising as variable control level of seed-borne and soil-borne diseases in legumes crops particularly collar rot and dry root rot in groundnut and other legume crops. Alternatively, seed treatment chemical could be effective, but unable to give prolonged protection to seed and seedling as well as growing plants from seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and insect pests. However, certain active ingredients can protect seeds and seedlings considerably longer when applied at the higher dose rate but increased dose rate would cause adverse impact on beneficial soil microorganism, particularly, rhizobium spp. in legume crops, which are responsible for nitrogen fixation and to improve soil fertility.
[00017] Another difficulty in relation to the use of pesticides for seed treatments is that the repeated and exclusive application of an individual pesticide compound leads in many cases to a rapid selection of pests which have developed natural or adapted resistance against the active compound. Therefore there is a need for pest control agents that help in preventing resistance induced by pesticides.
[00018] Yet another difficulty is developing seed treatment formulation mixtures having multiple active ingredients with different physico-chemical properties, for various beneficial purposes. For example, seed treatments include the application of pesticides such as fungicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators to address broad spectrum advantage like controlling different kind of diseases and insect pests. Formulations that have been developed to date typically have other disadvantages such as low formulation stability, low seed flowability, high levels of dust-off of the pesticide and other coating ingredients from the seed prior to planting, and poor plantability characteristics. In addition, a problem that has been encountered in the development of seed treatment formulation mixture is high loading of multiple pesticides.
[00019] The strobilurin fungicide, methyl (2E)-2-[2-[6-(2-cyanophenoxy)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]phenyl]-3-methoxyacrylate, known by the common name ‘azoxystrobin’ and having CAS number 131860-33-8, is a widely used commercial agrochemical product affective against a numbers of diseases caused by oomycetes, ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and deuteromycetes. It is quinone outside inhibitor that inhibits mitochondrial respiration by blocking the transfer of electrons between cytochrome-b and cytochrome-c1, at the ubiquinol oxidising site. A more detailed description with structure, uses, activity and applications are summarized in “The Pesticide Manual” published by the British Crop Protection Council, 17th edition, 2015, page 66 and in the Proceedings of the Brighton Crop Protection Conference (Pests and Diseases), vol.-1, issue-5-6, 435-442, 1992. Azoxystrobinis commercially available in SE, GR, SC and WDG formulations either singly or in combination with other fungicides and insecticides active ingredients to control a variety of pathogens at application rates between 100 and 375 grams/hectare (g/ha) in different crops. Azoxystrobin inhibits spore germination and mycelial growth and also shows antisporulant activity.
[00020] The benzimidazole fungicide, methyl benzidazol-2-ylcarbamate, known by the common name ‘carbendazim’ and having CAS number 10605-21-7, is a widely used systemic fungicide affective against wide number of diseases caused by ascomycetes, basidiomycetes and deuteromycetes. It acts specifically in cell division by inhibiting the biosynthesis of beta-tubulin, which is a protein that makes up microtubules. It acts by inhibiting development of the germ tubes, the formation of appressoria, and the growth of mycelia. Thus, the formation of microtubules is distorted and there is no division of the nucleus and consequent separation. A more detailed description with structure, uses, activity and applications are summarized in “The Pesticide Manual” published by the British Crop Protection Council, 17th edition, 2015, page 159. It can be used both as a plant fungicide having systemic activity and in industrial fungicide. Carbendazim is commercially available in WP, SC, SL, OP, FS and WDG formulations either singly or in combination with other fungicides or insecticides active ingredients to control a variety of pathogens at application rates between 120 and 600 grams/hectare (g/ha) in different crops and used as foliar application as well as seed treatment.
[00021] The neonicotinoid insecticide, 3-(2-chloro-1,3-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-5-methyl-1,3,5-oxadiazinan-4-ylidene(nitro)amine, known by the common name ‘thiamethoxam’ is a widely used systemic insecticide effective against many sucking and chewing type insect pests in various crops. It acts as an agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, affecting the synapses in the insect central nervous system. A more detailed description with structure, uses, activity and applications is summarized in “The Pesticide Manual” published by the British Crop Protection Council, 17th edition, 2015, page 1092.Thiamethoxam is commercially available in WG, SC, FS, GR and WS formulations either singly or in combination with other insecticides or fungicides active ingredients to controls a variety of insects pests at application rates between 100 and 300 grams/hectare (g/ha) in different crops and used as foliar application as well as seed treatment.
[00022] WO2013/166012 describes aqueous seed treatment mixture having one or more agricultural pesticides and a binder formulation comprising a latex carrier and a wax wherein said latex carrier comprises a styrene-acrylate based copolymer.
[00023] WO2006/024333 describes an aqueous composition suitable for applying insecticides and fungicides to plant propagation materials like seeds, comprising water, at least one insecticide and at least one fungicide and a blend of at least one surface active agent, at least one inorganic solid carrier; and at least one antifreeze agent.
[00024] WO2011/060210 describes a seed treatment composition having a high aspect ratio polymeric particle, wherein the polymeric particles comprise a pesticidally active ingredient comprising an insecticide, fungicide and/or herbicide.
[00025] WO2007/003319 describes a seed treatment composition and a method of seed treatment, which comprises treating a lot of seeds with one or more pesticides, and one or more formulation auxiliaries selected from one or more alkoxylates and one or more block polyoxyalkylene polymers.
[00026] US 8,476,192 describes an aqueous suspension seed treatment insecticidal and/or nematicidal composition comprising at least one insecticide and/or nematicide, and at least two surface active compounds, wherein first one is an anionic phosphate type compound, and second is a non-ionic alkoxylated phenol.
[00027] US 8,232,229 describes an aqueous pesticide formulation for protecting seeds from pests, which comprising a) at least one pesticidal agent; b) polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); c) acrylic graft copolymer and d) a plasticizer, wherein the pesticidal agent is an insecticide and/or fungicide.
[00028] US 7,307,043 describes an aqueous composition comprising an insecticidally effective amount of thiamethoxam, a fungicidally effective amount of fludioxonil, mefenoxam and azoxystrobin, and a blend of the following components: a) at least one surface active agent selected from tristyrylphenol sulfate, N-methyl-N-oleoyltaurate and salts thereof, phosphate ester of polyalkoxylated alkyl alkylphenol, and lignosulfonic acid and alkoxylated salts thereof; b) solid inorganic carrier selected from magnesium silicate and aluminum silicate; and c) glycerine.
[00029] EP2229808 describes a seed coating composition comprising water and inorganic particles like silicate, carbonate and sulphate particles along with a plant protecting agent, preferably selected from the group consisting of fungicides, bactericides, insecticides, nematicides, disinfectants, rodent killers, weed killers, attracting agents, repellent agents, plant growth regulators s, nutrients, plant hormones, minerals, plant extracts etc.
[00030] WO2010/015578 discloses a method for controlling the plant pathogenic fungus Rhizoclonia solani in legumes comprising treating the seeds with a mixture comprising thiophanate-methyl and pyraclostrobin. However, collar rot or crown rot (Aspergillus spp.) control is not reported in this document.
[00031] WO2006/069654discloses a synergistic composition of neonicotinoid insecticides and strobilurins fungicide and use of said active substance combinations in the form of pesticides and seed dressing agents. This reference also describes methods for controlling pests and protecting seeds and seeds treated by means of said combinations.
[00032] WO2011/151261 disclosed a three way composition selected from strobilurins and benzimidazoles and one insecticide which includes neonicotinoid insecticide and use of said mixture comprising pyraclostrobin, fipronil and thiophanate-methyl as seed treatment in combination with pyraclostrobin as foliar treatment for increasing the health of a plant.
[00033] CN104957167discloses a composition having azoxystrobin and thiamethoxam and its use for stem and leaf mist spray and seed treatment, and also for soil treatment from insect pests and other soil-borne diseases.
[00034] WO2005/058040 discloses the mixture of pyraclostrobin, fipronil and thiophanate-methyl and a method for controlling phytopathogenic fungi and harmful insects. It is also known that mixtures of strobilurins with fungicidally active benzimidazoles and benzimidazole releasing compounds, wherein thiophanate-methyl and carbendazim is mentioned inter alia, having synergistic fungicidal action.
[00035] However, none of the above described documents describes that efficient control of collar rot disease caused by Aspergillus niger in legume crops particularly in groundnut, can be achieved via seed treatment. Further, existing compositions comprising combination of carbendazim and azoxystrobin, either alone or in combination with other insecticides, for controlling pathogens and insect pests attack, particularly collar rot, dry root rot caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (or Rhizoctonia bataticola), stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsiiin legume crops, are not entirely satisfactory in the areas of high level pathogenic control, safety to root nodulation rhizobium bacterium in legumes crops, and environmental and worker safety.
[00036] Broad spectrum control of seed-borne and soil-borne diseases along with control of insects, particularly, but not limited to, white grub, termites etc., is very much needed. There is a need to develop seed treatment agents that provide effective pesticidal activity and prolonged control against seed and soil borne insect pests and diseases, particularly collar rot and white grub which are difficult to manage by using single fungicide or insecticide. Furthermore, there is a desire of seed treatment composition, which can protect above ground parts of a plant from sucking insect pests, such as aphids, jassids, thrips, whitefly, stem fly, shoot fly and foliage diseases, such as tikka leaf spot, blights, blast, leaf spot, and rust by its systemic action.
[00037] Therefore there is still a need in the art for a ready-to-use liquid seed treatment composition comprising a combination of fungicide and insecticide active compounds having advantageous activity profile, high stability and, a synergistically improved action, which allows for reduced application rate in comparison with individual application of the active compounds and has no adverse effect on root nodulation rhizobium bacterium in legume crops.
[00038] The present invention satisfies the existing needs, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the prior art.
[00039] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[00040] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[00041] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a composition which is capable of protecting plants, especially legume crop plants, from attack by various fungal pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests.
[00042] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition capable of protecting seeds, seedling and/or growing plants from harmful effects of seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or agricultural insect pests.
[00043] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition that can prevent/control a wide range of seed-borne and soil-borne diseases caused by plant pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests.
[00044] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition that can provide enhanced protection against insect pests that attack seeds, seedling and/or growing plants.
[00045] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition that can provide extended protection against sucking and biting insect pests and diseases that attack foliage and stems of seedling and/or growing plants by its systemic activity in plants.
[00046] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition that exhibits enhanced fungicidal and insecticidal activities even at a low dose rate.
[00047] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition that exhibits fungicidal and insecticidal spectrum against seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and insect pests for a prolonged period of time.
[00048] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition that protects a legume crop from attack by seed-borne and soil-borne fungal pathogens and/or insect pests without adversely affecting root nodulation rhizobium bacteria (nitrogen fixation bacteria).
[00049] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition in a stable, liquid form.
[00050] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a ready-to-apply formulation that contains a plant protection composition.
[00051] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a plant protection composition which is safe for seed and planting materials while germination, sprouting and at any stage of the growth of plants and plant propagules.
[00052] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a ready-to-apply liquid seed treatment composition suitable for both on-farm and commercial seed treatment.
[00053] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a method of protecting a legume crop from attack by seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or insect pests by mean of seed treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00054] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a synergistic plant protection composition which is capable of protecting plants, especially legume crop plants from attack by various fungal pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests. The plant protection composition disclosed herein can protect seeds, seedling and/or growing plants from harmful effects of seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or agricultural insect pests. Further, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can exhibit fungicidal and insecticidal spectrum against seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and/or agricultural insect pests for a prolonged period of time even at a low dose rate. The present disclosure also provides a ready-to-apply formulation in a stable, liquid form that contains the plant protection composition of the present disclosure.
[00055] In one aspect of the present disclosure there is provide a composition for protecting a legume crop against one or more fungal pathogens and/or one or more agricultural insect pests, wherein the composition can include a synergistic combination of azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam, and carbendazim.
[00056] In an embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can include azoxystrobin in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% w/w, thiamethoxam in an amount ranging from 1% to 60% w/w, and carbendazim in an amount ranging from 1% to 30% w/w.
[00057] In a preferred embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can include azoxystrobin in an amount of 1.5% w/w, thiamethoxam in an amount of 30% w/w, and carbendazim in an amount of 8.0 % w/w.
[00058] In one embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can further include at least one solvent, at least one surfactant, at least one biocide agent, and at least one anti-freezing agent.
[00059] In one embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can further include one or more formulation agents selected from the group consisting of an anti-foaming agent, a rheology modifier, a binding agent, a colouring agent and a filler.
[00060] In one embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be provided in the form of a liquid suspension formulation.
[00061] In another aspect of the present disclosure there is provide a method for protecting a legume crop against one or more seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and/or one or more agricultural insect pests without adversely affecting root nodulation rhizobium bacteria (nitrogen fixation bacteria), wherein the method can include: providing a composition comprising azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam and carbendazim; and applying an effective amount of the composition to the legume crop.
[00062] In one embodiment, the legume crop can preferably be selected from the group consisting of groundnut, soybean, lentil, pigeon pea, chickpea, garden pea, black gram, green gram, and kidney bean.
[00063] In one embodiment, the one or more seed-borne and soil-borne diseases can be selected from the group consisting of collar rot, root rot, wilt, charcoal rot, and stem rot; and the one or more agricultural insect pests can be selected from the group consisting of white grub, termites, wireworms, beetles, girdle beetle, cutworms, shoot fly, root worms, aphids, jassids, thrips, whitefly and stem fly, which can occur singly or in complex form during growth of crop plants.
[00064] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be used to protect seeds against fungal pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests by mean of seed treatment. In an exemplary embodiment, seed treatment can be performed by spraying on seeds, by drenching, by seed mixing, by seed coating, by seed pelleting, by using drip irrigation, or by in-furrow spray over seeds.
[00065] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be applied to a legume crop in an amount ranging from 200ml/100kg seeds to 2000 ml/100 kg seeds, in order to protect the legume crop from harmful effects of seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or insect pests.
[00066] In a preferred embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be applied to a legume crop in an amount ranging from 400ml/100kg seeds to 1200ml/100kg seeds.
[00067] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00068] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[00069] FIG. 1 is a graph showing time dependent effect of different treatments against collar rot (Aspergillus niger) disease in groundnut, wherein T1=Carbendazim @ 8g/10kg seed; T2=Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam @ 1.5 + 30g/10 kg seed; T3=Azoxystrobin +Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim @ 1.5+30 +8g/10kg seeds; and T4= Untreated.
[00070] FIG. 2 is a graph showing time dependent effect of different treatments against dry root rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) disease in groundnut, wherein T1=Carbendazim @ 8g/10kg seed; T2=Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam @ 1.5 + 30g/10 kg seed; T3=Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim @ 1.5+30 +8g/10kg seeds; and T4= Untreated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00071] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[00072] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[00073] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[00074] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[00075] The term “fungicide” as utilized herein is intended to cover compounds active against phytopathogenic fungi that may belong to a very wide range of compound classes. Examples of compound classes to which the suitable fungicidally active compound may belong include: triazole derivatives, strobilurins, carbamates (including thio- and dithio-carbamates), benzimidazoles (thiabendazole), N-trihalomethylthio compounds, substituted benzenes, carboxamides, phenylamides and phenylpyrroles, and mixtures thereof.
[00076] The term “insecticide” as utilized herein is intended to cover compounds which adversely affect the existence, growth of the harmful insects. Such means may comprise a complete killing action, eradicate, arresting growth, inhibition, reducing in number or any combination thereof.
[00077] The term “legume” includes, but not limited to, groundnut, soybean, lentil, pigeon pea or red gram, chickpea, garden pea, black gram or urad bean, green gram or mung bean and kidney bean from family leguminosae, preferably groundnut, soybean, garden pea and chickpea.
[00078] The term "seed" is to be understood to denote all the generative parts of a plant such as seeds and vegetative plant material such as cuttings and tubers (e.g. potatoes), which can be used for the multiplication of the plant. Thus, the term "seed(s)" as used herein includes seeds, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants, including seedlings and young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after emergence from soil. These young plants may also be protected before transplantation by a total or partial treatment by immersion or pouring. In a particular preferred embodiment, the term "seed(s)" denotes seeds.
[00079] The term “seed treatment” comprises all suitable seed treatment and especially seed dressing techniques known in the art, such as seed coating (e.g. seed pelleting), seed dusting and seed imbibition (e.g. seed soaking). Here, “seed treatment” refers to all methods that bring seeds and a composition of the invention into contact with each other, and “seed dressing” to methods of seed treatment which provide the seeds with an amount of the active ingredient, i.e. which generate a seed comprising the active ingredient. In principle, the treatment can be applied to the seed at any time from the harvest of the seed to the sowing of the seed. The seed can be treated immediately before, or during, the planting of the seed.
[00080] The present disclosure provides a synergistic plant protection composition which is capable of protecting plants, especially legume crop plants, from attack by various fungal pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests. The plant protection composition disclosed herein can protect seeds, seedling and/or growing plants from harmful effects of seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or insect pests. Further, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can exhibit fungicidal and insecticidal spectrum against seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and/or agricultural insect pests for a prolonged period of time even at a low dose rate. The present disclosure also provides a ready-to-apply formulation in a stable, liquid form that contains the plant protection composition of the present disclosure.
[00081] In one aspect of the present disclosure there is provide a composition for protecting a legume crop against one or more fungal pathogens and/or one or more insect pests, wherein the composition can include a synergistic combination of azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam, and carbendazim.
[00082] In an embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can include azoxystrobin in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% w/w, thiamethoxam in an amount ranging from 1% to 60% w/w, and carbendazim in an amount ranging from 1% to 30% w/w.
[00083] In a preferred embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can include azoxystrobin in an amount of 1.5% w/w, thiamethoxam in an amount of 30% w/w, and carbendazim in an amount of 8.0% w/w.
[00084] In one embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can further include at least one solvent; at least one surfactant; at least one biocide agent; and at least one anti-freezing agent.
[00085] In one embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can further include one or more formulation agents selected from the group consisting of an anti-foaming agent, a rheology modifier, a binding agent, a colouring agent and filler.
[00086] In one embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be provided in the form of a liquid suspension formulation.
[00087] In another aspect of the present disclosure there is provide a method for protecting a legume crop against one or more seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and/or one or more agricultural insect pests without adversely affecting root nodulation rhizobium bacteria (nitrogen fixation bacteria), wherein the method can include: providing a composition comprising azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam and carbendazim; and applying an effective amount of the composition to the legume crop.
[00088] In one embodiment, the legume crop can preferably be selected from the group consisting of groundnut, soybean, lentil, pigeon pea, chickpea, garden pea, black gram, green gram, and kidney bean.
[00089] In one embodiment, the one or more seed-borne and soil-borne diseases can be selected from the group consisting of collar rot, root rot, wilt, charcoal rot, damping off and stem rot; and the one or more agricultural insect pests can be selected from the group consisting of white grub, termites, wireworms, beetles, girdle beetle, cutworms, shoot fly, root worms, aphids, jassids, thrips, whitefly and stem fly.
[00090] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be used to protect seeds against fungal pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests. In an exemplary embodiment, seed treatment can be performed by spraying on seeds, by drenching, by seed mixing, by seed coating, by seed pelleting, by using drip irrigation, or by in-furrow spray over seeds.
[00091] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be applied to a legume cropin an amount ranging from 200ml/100kg seeds to 2000 ml/100 kg seeds, in order to protect the legume crop from harmful effects of seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or insect pests.
[00092] In a preferred embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be applied to a legume crop in an amount ranging from 400ml/100kg seeds to 1200ml/100kg seeds.
[00093] Surprisingly, the present inventors have now found that when the combination of azoxystrobin and thiamethoxam was mixed with a reduced amount of carbendazim, the resultant combination showed improved synergistic effects. It was surprising that even a reduced amount of carbendazim, which is a conventional fungicide used for broad spectrum disease control as foliar application as well as seed treatment, resulted in unexpectedly enhancing the efficacy of a combination of azoxystrobin and thiamethoxam, to a greater degree than expectable, for controlling difficult-to-controlling seed-borne and soil-borne diseases, collar rot and dry root rot in legumes.
[00094] Surprisingly, it has been found that the active compound combination or composition according to the invention does not only exhibit an additive effect of the activity of the individual components, but exert a improve effect when used in combination against collar rot and dry root rot disease in legume crops without adverse effect on root nodulation rhizobium bacterium. Therefore, firstly, the customary application rates of the individual substances were reduced.
[00095] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition can be used for controlling or preventing pre-emergence and post emergence damages of seed, seedling and young plant by seed-borne and soil-borne diseases like, root rot or damping off (Rhizoctonia solani), stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii or Sclerotinia sclerotia rum), vetilicillium wilt (Verticillium spp.), pythium rot or damping off (Pythium spp.), phytophthora rot or damping off (Phytophthora spp.); fusarium wilt or rot (Fusarium spp.), sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani); take-all (Gaeumanomyces graminis); common root rot (Bipolaris sorokiniana); bakanae (Fusarium fujikuroi or Gibberella fujikuroi), stalk rot (Gibberella zeae); stalk rot (Stenocarpella spp., or Colletotrichum spp., Fusarium moniliforme), black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani); root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola); loose smut (Ustilago nuda), and further seed and soil-borne pathogenic fungi representatives of the ascomycetes, deuteromycetes and basidiomycetes classes.
[00096] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition can be advantageously used for controlling or preventing seed-borne and soil-borne diseases like, leaf spots, leaf blotch, anthracnose and leaf blight diseases caused by for example Alternariaspp.; Cercospora spp., Septoria spp., Pyricularia spp., Cladiosporium spp; Colletotrichum spp., Diaporthe spp., Gloeosporium spp., Albugo spp., Glomerella spp., Magnaporthespp; Mycosphaerella spp., Ramularia spp., Venturia spp. etc.
[00097] The term "fungicidally or insecticidal effective amount" is that quantity of active agent, which when applied in any amount which will provide the required control of target pathogen and insect pests. The particular amount is dependent upon many factors including, for example, the crop, pathogen and pests 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.
[00098] In an exemplary embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can be formulated in the form of a solution for seed treatment (LS), flowable suspension concentrate for seed treatments (FS), aqueous capsule suspension (CS), a suspension concentrate (SC), oil dispersions (OD), a micro-emulsion (ME), emulsion for seed treatments (ES), microcapsule seed treatments (CF) etc., more preferably, flowable suspension concentrate for seed treatments (FS). However, the choice of any preferred formulation type is not particularly limiting. Suitable one or more formulation auxiliary ingredients (also referred to as adjuvants) may be used to formulate such pre-formulated composition. Exemplary formulation auxiliary ingredients can include anti-foaming agent, surfactants (such as wetting agent, tackifiers, dispersing agent or emulsifiers), rheology modifier, biocide, anti-freezing agent, colouring agent, binding agent, filler etc., and if appropriate, solvent, oil, liquid or aqueous carrier and other agriculturally acceptable additives.
[00099] In an embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can include azoxystrobin in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 20% w/w, preferably from 0.5% to 10% w/w and more preferably 1.5% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
[000100] In another embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can include thiamethoxam in an amount ranging from 1% to 60% w/w, preferably from 5% to 50% w/w and more preferably 30% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
[000101] In another embodiment, the plant protection composition disclosed herein can include carbendazim in an amount ranging from 1% to 30% w/w, preferably 2% to 20% w/w and more preferably 8.0% w/w of the total weight of the composition.
[000102] In an embodiment, the plant protection composition according to the present invention is a flowable suspension concentrate (FS or SC) formulation comprising:
(a) a fungicidally effective amount of azoxystrobin;
(b) a fungicidally effective amount of carbendazim;
(c) an insecticidally effective amount of thiamethoxam; and
(d) at least one agrochemically acceptable carrier.
[000103] In this embodiment, the flowable suspension (FS or SC) formulation of the present invention further comprises an agrochemically acceptable and environmentally friendly liquid or aqueous carrier. These carriers may include one or more anti-foaming agent, surfactants (such as wetting agent, tackifiers, dispersing agent or emulsifiers), rheology modifier, biocide, anti-freezing agent, colouring agent, binding agent, filler and/or solvent, which may be added into a stable composition.
[000104] In another embodiment, the plant protection composition is in the form of a liquid formulation. An illustrative formulation composition comprising various ingredients is illustrated in the table below:
Ingredients Weight % range
Azoxystrobin Technical (Fungicide) 0.1 to 20%
Carbendazim Technical (Fungicide) 1 to 30%
Thiamethoxam Technical (Insecticide) 1 to 60%
Surfactant 0.5 to 20%
Anti-freezing agent 1 to 15%
Rheology modifier 0.01 to 10%
Biocide 0.01 to 5%
Anti-foaming agent 0.1 to 5%
Colouring agent 0.5 to 10%
Binding agent 0.5 to 10%
Filler 1 to 60%
Solvent 10 to 90%

[000105] In an embodiment, the liquid seed treatment composition of the present invention can be prepared by conventional processes known in the art.
[000106] In an embodiment, the composition disclosed herein can be formulated together with one or more suitable customary formulation auxiliary ingredients (also referred to as adjuvants) such as anti-foaming agent, surfactants (such as wetting agent, tackifiers, dispersing agent or emulsifiers), rheology modifier, biocide, anti-freezing agent, colouring agent, binding agent, filler and solvent.
[000107] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises an anti-foaming agent, which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred antifoaming agents are selected from dimethyl polysiloxane, magnesium stearate, silicone emulsions (such as e.g. Silikon® SRE, Wacker, Germany or Rhodorsil®, Rhodia, France), long chain alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, salts of fatty acids, fluoro organic compounds, silicone oils, mineral oils, polyether siloxane copolymer containing fumed silica, silicone defoamers, non-silicone defoamers (such as polyethers, polyacrylates), arylalkyl modified polysiloxanes, polyethylene glycol and glycerin or a suitable mixtures thereof.
[000108] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises a surfactant (such as wetting agent, tackifiers, dispersing agent or emulsifiers) which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred surfactants are selected from ionic and non-ionic products and include solutions of organo-modified polyacrylates, polyacrylates, sodium polyacrylate, alkylsulfonates, phosphoric acid ester, modified polyethers, polyurethanes, alkyl aryl sulfonate, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, polycarboxylates, phenol sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, dialkylsulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfates, acetylene glycols, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl ether phosphate, polyoxyethylene alkyl aryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylenestyrylphenylether sulfate, polyoxyethylenestyrylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkyl ester, polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether, polyoxyethylenesorbitan alkylate, polyoxyethylenestyrylphenyl ether polymer, polyoxyalkylene glycol, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of aromatic sulfonic acids such as ligninsoulfonic acid (Borresperse® types, Borregard, Norway), phenolsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acid (Morwet® types, Akzo Nobel, U.S.A.), dibutylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (Nekal® types, BASF, Germany), condensates of naphthalene or of naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde such as naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate-formaldehyde condensate, phenolsulfonic acid formaldehyde polycondensate as sodium salt, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ethoxylate and sulfated hexa-, hepta- and octadecanolates, sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers and suitable rheological additives such as heteropolysaccharide or a suitable mixtures thereof.
[000109] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises a rheology modifier to stabilize dispersion formulations against sedimentation, which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred rheology modifiers are selected from both natural and man-made modifiers, such as, for example, natural gums (xanthan gum, gum arabic, gun ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum etc.), attagel, agar, alginic acid, alginate salt, chitin, pectin, casein, dextran, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydrophilic and hydrophobic silicas, fumed silica, fumed aluminium oxide, colloidal silicon dioxides, hydrogenated castor oils, polyvinylalcohol, sodium alginate, sodium poly acrylate, welan gum, lignosulfonates, hydroxy methyl cellulose, dextrin, heteropolysaccharides, organic and inorganic clays,montmorillonite, bentonite clays, oxidized waxes, carboxy methylcellulose, carrageen, fucoidan, laminaran, HEUR (hydrophobically modified, ethoxylated urethane), HMPE (hydrophobically modified polyethers), HASE (hydrophobically modified, alkali-swellable emulsion), polyacrylates, polyamides, 2-aminoethyl starch, 2-hydroxy ethyl cellulose, cellulose sulfate salt, polyacrylamide, polyvinylpyrrolidinones, alkali metal salts of the maleic anhydride copolymers, alkali metal salts of poly(meth)acrylate, and starch or a suitable mixtures thereof. This list is not intended to be exhaustive, however, and a wide variety of other rheology modifiers can be employed. A wide variety of rheology modifiers are available commercially, including, for example, the following: Kelzan® (CP Kelco, U.S.A.), Rhodopol® 23 (Rhodia, France), Veegum® (R.T. Vanderbilt, U.S.A.) and Attaclay® (Engelhard Corp., NJ; USA).
[000110] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises a biocide which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions for preservation and stabilization of the formulation. Preferred biocides are 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 and parahydroxy benzoates or a suitable mixtures thereof. Bactericides may also be added for preservation and stabilization of the composition. Examples for suitable bactericides are those based on dichlorophene and benzylalcohol hemi formal (Proxel® from ICI; Acticide® RS from Thor Chemie and Kathon® MK from Rohm & Haas) and isothiazolinone derivatives such as alkylisothiazolinones and benzisothiazolinones (Acticide® MBS from Thor Chemie).
[000111] In an embodiment, anti-freezing agent that can be used to formulate the plant protection composition of the present disclosure can include those substances which lead to a depression of the melting point of water. Suitable anti-freezing agents include, for example and without limitation, 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, urea, 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 and octaglycerol and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[000112] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises a colouring agent which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred colouring agents include dyes, brighteners and pigments, including pearlescent pigments, wherein dyesincludes anthraquinone, triphenylmethane, phthalocyanine and derivatives thereof, and diazonium salts thereof. Suitable colouring agents include, for example and without limitation, copper phthalocyanine, rhodamine B, pigment red 112, C. I. solvent red 1, 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 yellow 74, pigment red 112, pigment red 2, 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, pigment violet 23, acid red 51, acid red 52, acid red 14, acid blue 9, acid yellow 23, basic red 10, basic red 108, and pigment black 7 and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[000113] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises a binding agent which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred binding agents are selected from polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylacetates, polyvinyl alcohols and cellulose ethers (Tylose®, Shin-Etsu, Japan) and a suitable mixture thereof.
[000114] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprisesa filler which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred fillers are selected from kaolin, clays, talc, chalk, glass fiber, highly disperse silica, silicates, diatomite, calcite, talcum, carbonates such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, wood flour, cellulose, pulverized wood, diatomaceous earth, montmorillonite, and highly dispersed silicic acid and a suitable mixtures thereof in order to improve the required physical properties.
[000115] In an embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure comprises a solvent to enable homogeneous suspension, which is usually employed for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Preferred solvents are selected from water, aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g. toluene, xylene, naphthalene, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives), aliphatic hydrocarbons, kerosene, diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aromatic solvents (e.g. solvesso products), paraffins (e.g. mineral fractions), alcohols (e.g. methanol, ethanol, butanol, pentanol, 2-ethylhexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol), ketones (e.g. cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones (e.g. NMP, NOP), DMSO, acetates (glycol diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and fatty acid esters and a suitable mixtures thereof.
[000116] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition, in liquid form, can provide uniform coating of seeds with non-dusting seed treatment, which will not interfere with germination and sprouting of the seed but which also will protect the seed against seed-borne and soil-borne pathogens and insect pests.
[000117] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition, in liquid form, can be applied to seed or plant propagation material by coating, spraying, wetting, immersing or mixing with a volume of from 200ml to 2000ml per 100 kg of seed, preferable from 300ml to 1500ml per 100kg of seed and more preferable, from 400ml to 1200ml per 100kg of seed.
[000118] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the plant protection composition, in liquid form, can also be applied by drenching, in-furrow spray over seed, drip irrigation by diluting the said composition in sufficient water, wherein the dose rate of said composition can range from 200ml to 2000ml/ha, preferable 400 ml to 1200ml/ha. However, application rate and methods are dependent on various factors such as type of the crop seed, size of the seed, type of the pathogen to be controlled or prevented, intensity of the inoculum of pathogen, method of application, and climatic conditions.
[000119] In another embodiment, the composition of present disclosure exhibits a remarkable improvement in prolonged activity against seed-borne and soil-borne diseases as well as insect pests, which is unexpected from the effects of the individual application of each fungicide/insecticide in said composition.
[000120] In one embodiment, the composition of the present disclosure can be prepared in a liquid form by a process which includes the steps of: (a) forming a homogeneous premix with weighed quantity of water and surfactant; (b) charge weighed amount of azoxystrobin, carbendazim and thiamethoxam technical to the above mixture while stirring; (c) add weighed amount of an anti-foaming agent; (d) mill the above mixture in bead mill at 15°C to 20°C to get a desired particle size;(e) charge weighed amount of anti-freezing agent, biocide, colouring agent, rheology modifier, water or any other suitable additives to the above mixture and stir till homogeneous mixture obtain.
[000121] In one embodiment, during preparation of the liquid composition of the present disclosure, sequence of addition of the different formulation auxiliaries and active ingredients can be interchanged according to suitability of the formulation.
[000122] In one embodiment, the ready-to-apply liquid seed treatment composition of the present disclosure is both cold and heat stable and can be applied to seeds at temperatures ranging from -10°C to +45°C and may be used as such on seeds as undiluted form or can be diluted further with water.
[000123] In one embodiment, the liquid composition according to the present disclosure is stable and maintains its viscosity and homogeneity for at least 12 months at 25°C. The viscosity of the aqueous composition can be 50 to 2000, more specifically 100 to 1000 mPa.s when measured with a suitable viscometer.
[000124] In one embodiment, the final composition can be screened if desired to remove any insoluble particles. The average size of the suspended particles can range from 0.1 to 20 microns, specifically 1.5 to 5 microns when measured with a suitable particle size analyzer.
[000125] In the field of agriculture, it is often understood that the term “synergy” is as defined by Colby S. R. in an article entitled “Calculation of the synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide combinations” published in Weeds, 1967, 15, p. 20-22. The action expected for a given combination of two active components can be calculated as follows:
E = X + Y - XY
100
Where,
E= Expected % control by mixture of two products X and Y in a defined dose.
X= Observed % control by product A
Y= Observed % control by product B
The synergy factor (SF) is calculated by Abbott’s formula (ref.: Abbott, W.S., J. Economic Entomology, 18, 265-267, 1925).
SF= Observed control /Expected control
Where, SF>1 for Synergistic reaction; SF<1 for antagonistic reaction; SF=1 for additive reaction.
[000126] When the percentage of disease control observed (E) for the combination is greater than the expected percentage, synergistic effect of the combination can be inferred. When the percentage of disease control observed for the combination is equal to the expected percentage, merely an additive effect may be inferred, and wherein the percentage of disease control observed for the combination is lower than the expected percentage, an antagonistic effect of the combinations can be inferred.
[000127] The following examples are provided to more specifically set forth and define the process of the present invention. It is recognized that changes may be made to the specific parameters and ranges disclosed herein and that there may be a number of different ways known in the art to change the disclosed variables. And whereas it is understood that only the preferred embodiments of these elements are disclosed herein as set forth in the specification and drawings, the invention should not be so limited and should be construed in terms of the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.

EXAMPLES
[000128] The invention will now be illustrated with working examples, which is intended to illustrate the working of disclosure and not intended to take restrictively to imply any limitations on the scope of the present disclosure. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[000129] Process steps for the preparation of liquid composition:(a) forming a homogeneous premix with weighed quantity of water and surfactant; (b) charge weighed amount of azoxystrobin, carbendazim and thiamethoxam technical(calculated on the basis of purity) to the above mixture while stirring; (c) add the weighed amount of the anti-foaming agent; (d) mill the above mixture in bead mill at 15°C to 20°C to get the desired particle size; (e) charge weighed amount of anti-freezing agent, biocide, colouring agent, rheology modifier, water or any other suitable additives to the above mixture and stir till homogeneous mixture obtain.

[000130] Examples 1-4
Ingredients Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 Example 4
Azoxystrobin 1.5 gm 1.5 gm 1.5 gm 1.5 gm
Carbendazim 8.0gm 8.0gm 8.0gm 8.0gm
Thiamethoxam 30 gm 30 gm 30 gm 30 gm
Surfactant 6.5 gm 6.5 gm 6.5 gm 6.5 gm
Anti-freezing agent 6 gm 3 gm 1 gm -
Rheology modifier 0.2 gm 0.15 gm 0.1 gm 0.05 gm
Biocide 0.32 gm 0.25 gm 0.2 gm 0.15 gm
Anti-foaming agent 0.6 gm 0.2 gm - -
Colouring agent 3 gm 2 gm 1 gm 0.5 gm
Binding agent - - 1 gm -
Solvent - 1.5 gm 1.5 gm 2 gm
Inert 43.38 gm
(water) 44.24 gm
(water) 2 gm
(Butanol) +
46.7 gm (water) 4 gm
(2-ethylhexanol) + 45.24 gm
(water)

[000131] Bio-efficacy study (in-house): Synergistic activity of the obtained liquid composition was studied through various biological experiments conducted in field. Efficacy against target pathogenic diseases and insect pests, effect on root nodulation rhizobium bacterium, effect on growth and vigor of plants, germinations and impact on yield and yield attributing characters were studied in different sets of experiments.

[000132] Field experiment methodology: The field trials were conducted in commercial cultivated groundnut field under hot-spot of naturally occurring collar rot and dry root rot diseases as well as white grub in the trial field. The trial sites were located at:
a) Chomun in Rajasthan,
b) Sikar in Rajasthan

[000133] The trials were conducted using normal research methodology under in collar rot and dry root rot disease sick fields. The seed of groundnut or peanut, variety GG-20, were used for the study. At the time of groundnut sowing, the measure quantity of the seeds were treated by standard seed treatment methods with prescribed treatments and its doses as mentioned below followed by air drying of the seeds before sowing in the trial fields. The counted treated groundnut seeds were sown in trial pots and crop is raised using normal cultural practices using fertilizer, planting spacing, irrigation, weeds control except disease and insects control as per the objective of the experiment. Treatments were randomized in block wise having plot area of 5.0 x 4.0 sq. m. and replicated thrice. The timely observations from the trial field were recorded for seed germination, plant mortality percentage due to collar rot or dry root rot disease, plant mortality percentage due to white grub and counting of rhizobium root nodulation, using standard methodology of observations.
[000134] Below examples (5, 6 and 7) summarizes the impact of individual or combined fungicide and insecticides treatments at 4 different doses level against key invasive seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and insect pests in groundnut crop as seed treatment at the time of the sowing of the seeds.

[000135] Example 5: Control of Collar rot (Aspergillus niger) disease in groundnut by seed treatment (Trial-1)
Active ingredient Treatment dose
(g.a.i./10kg seed Observed % reduction in plant mortality due to collar rot disease
Synergy Factor
15 DAS 30 DAS 45 DAS 15 DAS 30 DAS 45 DAS
Carbendazim 6.0 57.4 58.8 42.3 - - -
Carbendazim 8.0 64.5 64.7 46.2 - - -
Carbendazim 10.0 64.5 70.6 61.6 - - -
Carbendazim 12.0 78.7 76.5 84.6 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.25+25.0 29.1 29.5 46.2 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.50+30.0 36.2 29.5 46.2 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.75+35.0 43.3 41.2 57.7 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 2.00+40.0 64.5 58.8 69.2 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.25+25.0+6.0 78.7 (69.8)* 76.5 (71.0) 80.8 (69.0) 1.13 1.08 1.17
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.50+30.0+8.0 92.9 (77.4) 88.2 (75.1) 96.2 (71.0) 1.20 1.17 1.35
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.75+35.0+10.0 92.9 (79.9) 88.2 (82.7) 96.2 (83.7) 1.16 1.07 1.13
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 2.00+40.0+12.0 92.9 (92.5 94.1 (90.3) 96.2 (95.3) 1.00 1.04 1.01
DAS= Days after sowing, refer herein after too; * Data in bracket ( ) are expected percentage reduction in plant mortality
[000136] Example 6: Control of dry root rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) disease in groundnut by seed treatment (Trial -2)
Active ingredient Treatment dose
(g.a.i./10kg seed Observed % reduction in plant mortality due to dry root rot disease
Synergy Factor
15 DAS 30 DAS 45 DAS 15 DAS 30 DAS 45 DAS
Carbendazim 6.0 58.3 38.5 36.8 - - -
Carbendazim 8.0 66.7 46.2 36.8 - - -
Carbendazim 10.0 75.0 57.7 57.9 - - -
Carbendazim 12.0 75.0 80.8 78.9 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.25+25.0 33.3 34.6 26.3 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.50+30.0 33.3 38.5 36.8 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.75+35.0 50.0 53.9 57.9 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 2.00+40.0 75.0 65.4 68.4 - - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.25+25.0+6.0 83.3 (72.2)* 80.8 (59.8) 78.9 (53.4) 1.15 1.35 1.48
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.50+30.0+8.0 91.7 (77.8) 92.3 (66.9) 94.7 (60.1) 1.18 1.38 1.58
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.75+35.0+10.0 91.7 (87.5) 96.2 (80.5) 94.7 (82.3) 1.05 1.19 1.15
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 2.00+40.0+12.0 91.7 (93.8) 96.2 (93.3) 94.7 (93.3) 0.98 1.03 1.01
DAS= Days after sowing, refer herein after too; * Data in bracket ( ) are expected percentage reduction in plant mortality
[000137] Example 7: Control of white grub in groundnut by seed treatment (Trial 1 & 2)
Active ingredient Treatment dose
(g.a.i./10kg seed % Seed germination % reduction in plant mortality due to
whitegrub Number of Rhizobium root nodules /plant –Observed value
Synergy Factor
10 DAS 45DAS 45DAS 45DAS
Trial-1 Trial-2 Trial-1 Trial-2 Trial-1 Trial-2 Trial-1 Trial-2
Carbendazim 6.0 93.3 90.3 9.9 0.0 75.3 82.3 - -
Carbendazim 8.0 93.7 90.0 9.9 5.6 41.3 47.0 - -
Carbendazim 10.0 91.7 87.7 0.0 5.6 39.0 29.3 - -
Carbendazim 12.0 90.7 87.0 19.9 0.0 28.0 26.3 - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.25+25.0 93.3 90.7 60.0 77.8 77.0 93.3 - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.50+30.0 94.0 91.0 80.0 94.4 79.3 90.0 - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 1.75+35.0 93.7 90.0 90.0 94.4 78.0 94.3 - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam 2.00+40.0 94.7 90.3 90.0 100.0 80.0 93.0 - -
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.25+25.0+6.0 94.3 90.7 70.0 88.9 87.7 (94.3) 95.3 (98.9) 0.93 0.96
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.50+30.0+8.0 94.7 91.7 90.0 94.4 88.3 (87.9) 97.0 (94.7) 1.01 1.02
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 1.75+35.0+10.0 94.7 90.7 90.0 94.4 86.7 (86.6) 97.3 (96.0) 1.00 1.01
Azoxystrobin + Thiamethoxam + Carbendazim 2.00+40.0+12.0 94.0 91.0 100.0 94.4 85.7 (85.6) 95.0 (94.8) 1.00 1.00
DAS= Days after sowing, refer herein after too; * Data in bracket ( ) are expected percentage reduction in plant mortality

[000138] It can be appreciated from the observed results presented example 5 and 6above that in each case, for any of the 4doses of the seed treatment combination of fungicides and insecticides, tested at fixed w/w ratio of 1.5:30:8.0(azoxystrobin:thiamethoxam: carbendazim), the effect of the said seed treatment composition as seed treatment application is unexpectedly and surprisingly synergistic over the effect of individual fungicide. The synergistic effect can be seen against invasive seed-borne and soil-borne disease particularly for collar rot disease caused by Aspergillus niger and dry root rot disease Macrophomina phaseolina in groundnut. However, out of the 4 doses tested, the dose ratio of seed treatment combination, azoxystrobin:thiamethoxam:carbendazim at 1.5 :30 :8.0 g.a.i/10kg seed respectively, exhibits highest synergy in controlling collar rot and dry root rot in groundnut as compared to other dose ration of said composition or combination.
[000139] It can be further appreciated from the observed results on formation of root nodulation by nitrogen fixation Rhizobium bacterium presented in example 7 above that in each case, for any of the 4 doses of the seed treatment combination of fungicides and insecticides, tested at fixed w/w ratio of 1.5:30:8.0 (azoxystrobin:thiamethoxam:carbendazim), the effect of the said seed treatment composition as seed treatment application is unexpectedly and surprisingly synergistic over the effect of individual fungicide on root nodulation of nitrogen fixation Rhizobium bacterium. However, it is clearly indicated from results that carbendazim alone has adverse impact on root nodulation rhizobium bacterium in groundnut, irrespective of its different dose rates used as seed treatment. However, out of the 4 doses tested as seed treatment, the dose ratio of seed treatment combination, azoxystrobin:thiamethoxam:carbendazim at 1.5 :30 :8.0 g.a.i/10kg seed respectively, exhibits highest synergy in formation of root nodulation by nitrogen fixation Rhizobium bacterium in groundnut.
[000140] Figure 1 and 2 depicts the graphical representation of the effect of seed treatment composition comprising treatment carbendazim, azoxystrobin + thiamethoxam and azoxystrobin + thiamethoxam+ carbendazimat particular doses applied as seed treatment in groundnut to control collar rot disease caused by Aspergillus niger and dry root rot disease Macrophomina phaseolina, is measured 15-45 days post application. It can be appreciated from Figure 1 and 2 that fungicides and insecticide combination comprising azoxystrobin + thiamethoxam+ carbendazim tested at dose rate of 1.5+30+8.0g.a.i./10kg seed, respectively, has good protection from collar rot and dry root rot disease for long duration, recorded up to 45 DAS, as compared to individual fungicide treatment carbendazim at 8g.a.i./10kg seed andazoxystrobin + thiamethoxam at 1.5 + 30 g.a.i./10kg seeds in groundnut, thus showing the enhanced long term effect of the particular seed treatment composition of the present invention.
[000141] It can be more appreciated from the observed results of seed treatment compositionof azoxystrobin, thiamethoxam and carbendazim, the effect of the said seed treatment composition as seed treatment application has, as a normal course, appreciable value addition in terms of controlling white grub in groundnut. Out of the 4 doses tested as seed treatment, the dose rate of seed treatment combination, azoxystrobin:thiamethoxam:carbendazim at 1.5 :30 :8.0 g.a.i/10kg seed respectively and above dose rates of said combination, exhibits effective control of white grub which caused plant mortality of young groundnut plants.
[000142] Accordingly, by the practice of the present invention, seed treatment compositions having heretofore unrecognized characteristics are prepared. The mixture of azoxystrobin + thiamethoxam with reduced dose of carbendazim, exhibits exceptionally synergetic effect for control of collar rot, dry root rot, white grub and improve in formation of root nodulation by nitrogen fixation rhizobium bacterium, especially in the growing of groundnut and other legume crops in field and are used in as seed treatment application.

Effect on seed germination
[000143] To assess the effect of the seed treatment composition of the present invention comprising fungicides and insecticide, (azoxystrobin + thiamethoxam + carbendazim ) on seed germination in groundnut crop, the germination count of groundnut seeds was recorded from trial -1 and trial-2 and presented in example 4. It can be appreciated from the observed results presented hereinabove that the seed treatment composition of the said invention at the various dose amounts (w/w ratio of 1.5:30:8 of azoxystrobin : thiamethoxam : carbendazim) as applied by seed treatment, exhibits quit improve effect on seed germination as compared to its individual components.
[000144] Overall, the present invention provides a composition comprising two fungicides and one insecticide compounds, which at particular w/w ratios, and in various doses exhibit an unexpected and surprising synergism in ability to prevent or control the seed-borne and soil-borne disease and insect pests. Of particular importance is that the said composition, while it is detrimental to the growth of pathogenic fungi and insect pests, has synergistic effect on increasing in root nodulation in legume crops which is required for improving plant growth and soil fertility by its nitrogen fixation ability. The said seed treatment composition is also quite beneficial in improved seed germination.
[000145] The compositions and methods of the appended claims are not limited in scope by the specific compositions and methods described herein, which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the claims and any compositions and methods that are functionally equivalent are intended to fall within the scope of the claims. Various modifications of the compositions and methods in addition to those shown and described herein are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Further, while only certain representative compositions and method steps disclosed herein are specifically described, other combinations of the compositions and method steps also are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims, even if not specifically recited.
[000146] The numerical values of various parameters given in the specification are at approximations and slightly higher or slightly lower values of these parameters fall within the ambit and the scope of the invention.
[000147] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific steps of the preferred process, it will be highly appreciated that many steps can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred steps without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred steps of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosures herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT DISLOSURE
[000148] The present disclosure provides a synergistic composition which is capable of protecting plants, especially legume crop plants, from attack by various fungal pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests.
[000149] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition capable of protecting seeds, seedling and/or growing plants from harmful effects of seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or insect pests.
[000150] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that can prevent/control a wide range of seed-borne and soil-borne diseases caused by plant pathogens and/or agricultural insect pests.
[000151] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that can provide extended protection against sucking and biting insect pests and diseases that attack foliage and stems of seedling and/or growing plants by its systemic activity in plant.
[000152] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that can provide enhanced protection against insect pests that attack seeds, seedling and/or growing plants.
[000153] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that exhibits fungicidal and insecticidal spectrum against seed-borne and soil-borne diseases and insect pests for a prolonged period of time.
[000154] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that protects a legume crop from attack by seed-borne and soil-borne fungal pathogens and/or insect pests without adversely affecting root nodulation rhizobium bacteria (nitrogen fixation bacteria).
[000155] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition in a stable, liquid form.
[000156] The present disclosure provides a ready-to-apply formulation that contains a plant protection composition.
[000157] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition which is safe for seed and planting materials while germination, sprouting, and at any stage of the growth of plants and plant propagules.
[000158] The present disclosure provides a ready-to-apply liquid seed treatment composition suitable for both on-farm and commercial seed treatment.
[000159] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that exhibits enhanced fungicidal and insecticidal activities even at a low dose rate.
[000160] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that improves vitality of plant propagation material, also termed seed vitality.
[000161] The present disclosure provides a plant protection composition that increases plant yield, especially legume crop plant yield.
[000162] The present disclosure provides a method of protecting a legume crop from attack by seed-borne and soil-borne pathogenic fungi and/or insect pests by mean of seed treatment, which method is simple, highly effective, environment friendly, and cost effective.