U.S. patent application number 13/318613 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-19 for method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure.
This patent application is currently assigned to BASF SE. Invention is credited to Markus Frank, David Ernest Silva.
Application Number | 20120094834 13/318613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43050545 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120094834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frank; Markus ; et
al. |
April 19, 2012 |
method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural
plants under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure
Abstract
A method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of
agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen
pressure, wherein the plants, the plant propagules, the seed of the
plants and/or the locus where the plants are growing or are
intended to grow are treated with an effective amount of a
composition comprising a) the Bacillus subtilis strain with NRRL
Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free extract thereof, and/or a
mutant of this strain or extract having all the identifying
characteristics of the respective strain or extract as component
(I), and b) optionally at least one chemical compound as component
(II), selected from the active compound groups A) to J): A)
strobilurins; B) carboxamides; C) azoles; D) heterocyclic
compounds; E) carbamates; F) other active substances; G) growth
regulators; H) herbicides; J) insecticides.
Inventors: |
Frank; Markus; (Neustadt,
DE) ; Silva; David Ernest; (Nipomo, CA) |
Assignee: |
BASF SE
Ludwigshafen
DE
|
Family ID: |
43050545 |
Appl. No.: |
13/318613 |
Filed: |
May 3, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
May 3, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP10/55947 |
371 Date: |
November 3, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61176511 |
May 8, 2009 |
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61175818 |
May 6, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
504/117 ;
424/780; 424/93.462; 504/206; 504/235; 504/241; 504/291; 504/320;
504/342; 504/345 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02A 50/356 20180101;
A01N 55/02 20130101; A01N 63/00 20130101; A01N 63/30 20200101; A01N
43/653 20130101; A01N 47/30 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101; Y02A
50/30 20180101; A01N 63/00 20130101; A01N 37/46 20130101; A01N
43/653 20130101; A01N 47/24 20130101; A01N 59/20 20130101; A01N
43/653 20130101; A01N 37/46 20130101; A01N 47/24 20130101; A01N
43/653 20130101; A01N 2300/00 20130101; A01N 63/00 20130101; A01N
2300/00 20130101; A01N 63/30 20200101; A01N 2300/00 20130101; A01N
63/30 20200101; A01N 2300/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
504/117 ;
424/93.462; 424/780; 504/320; 504/241; 504/291; 504/345; 504/342;
504/206; 504/235 |
International
Class: |
A01N 63/00 20060101
A01N063/00; A01N 63/04 20060101 A01N063/04; A01P 1/00 20060101
A01P001/00; A01P 21/00 20060101 A01P021/00; A01P 13/02 20060101
A01P013/02; A01P 7/04 20060101 A01P007/04; A01N 63/02 20060101
A01N063/02; A01P 3/00 20060101 A01P003/00 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of
agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen
pressure, wherein the plants, the plant propagules, the seed of the
plants and/or the locus where the plants are growing or are
intended to grow are treated with an effective amount of a
composition comprising a) the Bacillus subtilis strain with NRRL
Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free extract thereof, and/or a
mutant of this strain or extract having all the identifying
characteristics of the respective strain or extract as component
(I), and b) optionally at least one chemical compound as component
(II), selected from the active compound groups A) to J): A) a
strobilurin selected from the group consisting of azoxystrobin,
dimoxy-strobin, enestroburin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl,
metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin,
pyribencarb, trifloxystrobin,
2-(2-(6-(3-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxy)-5-fluoro-pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl)-2-
-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide,
3-methoxy-2-(2-(N-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropane-carboximidoylsulfanylme-
thyl)-phenyl)-acrylic acid methyl ester, methyl
(2-chloro-5[1-(3-methylbenzyloxyimino)-ethyl]benzyl)carbamate and 2
(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-allylideneaminooxy-methyl)-phenyl)-2--
methoxyimino-N methyl-acetamide; B) a carboxamide selected from the
group consisting of carboxanilides: benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M,
benodanil, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, fenhexamid,
flutolanil, furametpyr, isopyrazam, isotianil, kiralaxyl, mepronil,
metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), ofurace, oxadixyl, oxycarboxin,
penthiopyrad, sedaxane, tecloftalam, thifluzamide, tiadinil,
2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole-5-carboxanilide, 2 chloro-N
(1,1,3-trimethyl-indan-4-yl)-nicotinamide, N-(3',4',5'
trifluorobiphenyl-2 yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4
carboxamide, N-(4'-trifluoromethylthiobiphenyl-2-yl)-3
difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N (2-(1,3
dimethyl-butyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide
and
N-(2-(1,3,3-trimethyl-butyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazol-
e-4 carboxamide; a carboxylic morpholide selected from the group
consisting of dimethomorph, flumorph, pyrimorph; benzoic acid
amides: flumetover, fluopicolide, fluopyram, zoxamide, and
N-(3-Ethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl)-3-formylamino-2-hydroxy-benzamide;
and another carboxamide selected from the group consisting of
carpropamid, dicyclomet, mandiproamid, oxy-tetracyclin, silthiofarm
and N-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)cyclopropane-carboxylic acid amide;
C) an azole selected from the group consisting of a triazole
selected from the group consisting of azaconazole, bitertanol,
bromuconazole, cyproconazole, difenoconazole; diniconazole,
diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole,
flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole,
metconazole, myclobutanil, oxpocona-zole, paclobutrazole,
penconazole, propiconazole, prothio-conazole, simeconazole,
tebuconazole, tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol,
triticonazole, uniconazole,
1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-([1,2,4]triazol-1-yl)-cycloheptanol; an
imidazole selected from the group consisting of cyazofamid,
imazalil, pefurazoate, prochloraz, triflumizol; a benzimidazole
selected from the group consisting of benomyl, carbendazim,
fuberidazole, and thiabendazole; and another compound selected from
the group consisting of ethaboxam, etridiazole, hymexazole and
2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-N-[4-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-2-prop-2-y-
nyloxy-acetamide; D) a heterocyclic compound selected from the
group consisting of a pyridine selected from the group consisting
of fluazinam, pyrifenox,
3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3 yl]-pyridine,
3-[5-(4-methyl-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine,
2,3,5,6-tetra-chloro-4-methanesulfonyl-pyridine,
3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-di-carbonitrile,
N-(1-(5-bromo-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl)-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,
and N [(5
bromo-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-methyl]-2,4-dichloro-nicotinamide; a
pyrimidine selected from the group consisting of bupirimate,
cyprodinil, diflumetorim, fenarimol, ferimzo-ne, mepanipyrim,
nitrapyrin, nuarimol, and pyrimethanil; triforine; a pyrrole
selected from the group consisting of fenpiclonil and fludioxonil;
a morpholine selected from the group consisting of aldimorph,
dodemorph, dodemorph-acetate, fenpropi-morph, and tridemorph;
fenpropidin; a dicarboximide selected from the group consisting of
fluoroimid, iprodione, procymidone, and vinclozolin; a non-aromatic
5-membered heterocycle selected from the group consisting of
famoxadone, fenamidone, flutianil, octhilinone, probenazole, and
5-amino-2-isopropyl-3-oxo-4-ortho-tolyl-2,3-dihydro-pyrazole-1
carbothioic acid S-allyl ester; and another compound selected from
the group consisting of acibenzolar-5-methyl, amisulbrom, anilazin,
blasticidin-S, captafol, captan, chinomethionat, dazomet, debacarb,
diclomezine, difenzoquat, difenzoquat-methylsulfate, fenoxanil,
Folpet, oxolinic acid, piperalin, proquinazid, pyroquilon,
quinoxyfen, triazoxide, tricy-clazole,
2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromen-4-one, 5-chloro-1
(4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole, 5
chloro-7
(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazo-
lo-[1,5 a]pyrimidine and 5-ethyl-6
octyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7 ylamine; E) a carbamate
selected from the group consisting of a thio- or a dithiocarbamate
selected from the group consisting of ferbam, mancozeb, maneb,
metam, methasulphocarb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb, and
ziram; a carbamate selected from the group consisting of
benthiavalicarb, diethofencarb, iprovalicarb, propamo-carb,
propamocarb hydrochlorid, valiphenal and
N-(1-(1-(4-cyano-phenyl)ethanesulfonyl)-but-2-yl) carbamic
acid-(4-fluorophenyl)ester; F) another active substance selected
from the group consisting of a guanidine selected from the group
consisting of guanidine, dodine, dodine free base, guazatine,
guaza-tine-acetate, iminoctadine, iminoctadine-triacetate, and
iminoctadine-tris(albesilate); an antibiotic selected from the
group consisting of kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride-hydrate,
streptomycin, polyoxine, validamycin A, streptomycin; a nitrophenyl
derivate selected from the group consisting of binapacryl,
dinobuton, dinocap, nitrthal-isopropyl, tecnazen, organometal
compounds: fentin salts, such as fentin-acetate, fentin chloride or
fentin hydroxide; a sulfur-containing heterocyclyl compound
selected from the group consisting of dithianon and isoprothiolane;
an organophosphorus compound selected from the group consisting of
edifenphos, fosetyl, fosetyl-aluminum, iprobenfos, phosphorous acid
and its salts, pyrazophos, and tolclofos-methyl; an organochlorine
compound selected from the group consisting of chlorothalonil,
dichlofluanid, dichloro-phen, flusulfamide, hexachlorobenzene,
pencycuron, pentachlor-phenole and its salts, phthalide,
quintozene, thiophanate-methyl, and tol-ylfluanid,
N-(4-chloro-2-nitro-phenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide; an
inorganic active substance, selected from the group consisting of
Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper hydroxide, copper
oxychloride, basic copper sulfate, sulfur; another compound
selected from the group consisting of biphenyl, bronopol,
cyflufenamid, cymoxanil, diphenylamin, metrafenone, mildiomycin,
oxin-copper, prohexadione-calcium, spiroxamine, tolylfluanid,
N-(cyclopropylmethoxyimino-(6-difluoro-methoxy-2,3-difluoro-phenyl)-methy-
l)-2-phenyl acetamide,
N-(4-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N
methyl formamidine, N'
(4-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-me-
thyl formamidine,
N'-(2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-4-(3-trimethylsilanyl-propoxy)-phenyl)-N-e-
thyl-N-methyl formamidine, N'-(5-difluoromethyl-2
methyl-4-(3-tri-methylsilanyl-propoxy)-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-methyl
formamidine,
2-{1-[2-(5-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-pyrazole-1-yl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl-
}-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid
methyl-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-yl)-amide,
2-{1-[2-(5-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-pyrazole-1-yl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl-
}-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid
methyl-(R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-yl-amide, acetic acid
6-tert-butyl-8-fluoro-2,3-dimethyl-quinolin-4-yl ester and
methoxy-acetic acid
6-tert-butyl-8-fluoro-2,3-dimethyl-quinolin-4-yl ester, fentin
acetate, fentin chloride, and fentin hydroxide; G) a plant growth
regulator (PGRs) selected from the group consisting of abscisic
acid, amidochlor, ancymidol, 6-benzylaminopurine, brassinolide,
butralin, chlormequat (chlormequat chloride), choline chloride,
cyclanilide, daminozide, dikegulac, dimethipin,
2,6-dimethylpuridine, ethephon, flumetralin, flurprimidol,
fluthiacet, forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid, inabenfide,
indole-3-acetic acid, maleic hydrazide, mefluidide, mepiquat
(mepiquat chloride), naphthaleneacetic acid, N 6 benzyladenine,
paclobutrazol, prohexadione (prohexadione-calcium), prohydrojasmon,
thidiazuron, triapenthenol, tributyl phosphorotrithioate, 2,3,5 tri
iodobenzoic acid, trinexapac-ethyl and uniconazole; H) a herbicide
selected from the group consisting of an acetamide selected from
the group consisting of acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor,
dimethachlor, dimethenamid, flufenacet, mefenacet, metolachlor,
metazachlor, napropamide, naproanilide, pethoxamid, pretilachlor,
propachlor, and thenylchlor; an amino acid derivative selected from
the group consisting of bilanafos, glufosinate, and sulfosate; an
aryloxyphenoxypropionate selected from the group consisting of
clodinafop, cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop, fluazifop, haloxyfop,
metamifop, propaquizafop, quizalofop, quizalo-fop-P-tefuryl;
Bipyridyls: diquat, and paraquat; a (thio)carbamate selected from
the group consisting of asulam, butylate, carbetamide, desmedipham,
dimepiperate, eptam (EPTC), esprocarb, molinate, orbencarb,
phenmedipham, prosulfocarb, pyributicarb, thiobencarb, and
triallate; a cyclohexanedione selected from the group consisting of
butroxydim, clethodim, cycloxydim, profoxydim, sethoxydim,
tepraloxydim, and tralkoxydim; a dinitroaniline selected from the
group consisting of benfluralin, ethalfluralin, oryzalin,
pendimethalin, prodiamine, and trifluralin; a diphenyl ether
selected from the group consisting of acifluorfen, aclonifen,
bifenox, diclofop, ethoxyfen, fomesafen, lactofen, and oxyfluorfen;
a hydroxybenzonitrile selected from the group consisting of
bomoxynil, dichlobenil, and ioxynil; an imidazolinone selected from
the group consisting of imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic,
imazapyr, imazaquin, and imazethapyr; a phenoxy acetic acid
selected from the group consisting of clomeprop,
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4-DB, dichlorprop, MCPA,
MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB, Mecoprop; pyrazines: chloridazon,
flufenpyr-ethyl, fluthiacet, norflurazon, and pyri-date; a pyridine
selected from the group consisting of aminopyralid, clopyralid,
diflufenican, dithiopyr, fluridone, fluoroxypyr, picloram,
picolinafen, and thiazopyr; a sulfonyl urea selected from the group
consisting of amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron,
chlorimuron-ethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron,
ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron,
foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron,
mesosulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron,
primisulfuron, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, rimsulfuron,
sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron,
tribenuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, tritosulfuron, and 1
((2-chloro-6-propyl-imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)sulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimetho-
xy-pyrimidin-2-yl)urea; a triazine selected from the group
consisting of ametryn, atrazine, cyanazine, dimethametryn,
ethiozin, hexazinone, metamitron, metribuzin, prometryn, simazine,
terbuthylazine, terbutryn, and triaziflam; a urea compound selected
from the group consisting of chlorotoluron, daimuron, diuron,
fluometuron, isoproturon, linuron, methabenzthiazuron, tebuthiuron;
an acetolactate synthase inhibitor selected from the group
consisting of bispyribac-sodium, cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam,
florasulam, flucarbazone, flumetsulam, metosulam, ortho-sulfamuron,
penoxsulam, propoxycarbazone, pyribambenz-propyl, pyribenzoxim,
pyriftalid, pyriminobac-methyl, pyrimisulfan, pyrithiobac,
pyroxasulfone, and pyroxsulam; another compound selected from the
group consisting of amicarbazone, aminotriazole, anilofos,
beflubutamid, bena-zolin, bencarbazone, benfluresate, benzofenap,
bentazone, benzo-bicyclon, bromacil, bromobutide, butafenacil,
butamifos, cafenstrole, carfentrazone, cinidon-ethlyl, chlorthal,
cinmethylin, clomazone, cumyluron, cyprosulfamide, dicamba,
difenzoquat, diflufenzopyr, Drechslera monoceras, endothal,
ethofumesate, etobenzanid, fentrazamide, flumiclorac-pentyl,
flumioxazin, flupoxam, fluorochloridone, flurtamone, indanofan,
isoxaben, isoxaflutole, lenacil, propanil, propyzamide, quinclorac,
quinmerac, mesotrione, methyl arsonic acid, naptalam, oxadiargyl,
oxadiazon, oxaziclomefone, pentoxazone, pinoxaden, pyraclonil,
pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrasulfotole, pyrazoxyfen, pyrazolynate,
quinoclamine, saflufenacil, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, terbacil,
tefuryltrione, tembotrione, thiencarbazone, topramezone,
4-hydroxy-3-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxymethyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-pyridine-3-carb-
onyl]-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one,
(3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-trifluoromethyl-3,6-dihydro-
-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)-phenoxy]-pyridin-2-yloxy)-acetic acid ethyl
ester, 6-amino-5-chloro-2-cyclopropyl-pyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid
methyl ester,
6-chloro-3-(2-cyclopropyl-6-methyl-phenoxy)-pyridazin-4-ol,
4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-fluoro-pyridine-2-carboxylic
acid,
4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxy-phenyl)-pyridine-2-carbox-
ylic acid methyl ester, and
4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-3-dimethylamino-2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine-2--
carboxylic acid methyl ester; and J) an insecticide selected from
the group consisting of an organo(thio)phosphate selected from the
group consisting of acephate, azamethiphos, azinphos-methyl,
chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, chlorfenvinphos, diazinon,
dichlorvos, dicrotophos, dimethoate, disulfoton, ethion,
fenitrothion, fenthion, isoxathion, malathion, methamidophos,
methidathion, methyl-parathion, mevinphos, monocrotophos,
oxydemeton-methyl, paraoxon, parathion, phenthoate, phosalone,
phosmet, phos-phamidon, phorate, phoxim, pirimiphos-methyl,
profenofos, prothiofos, sulprophos, tetrachlorvinphos, terbufos,
triazophos, and trichlorfon; a carbamate selected from the group
consisting of alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb,
carbaryl, carbofuran, carbosulfan, fenoxycarb, furathiocarb,
methiocarb, methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, and
triazamate; a pyrethroid selected from the group consisting of
allethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin, cyphenothrin,
cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin,
zeta-cypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox,
fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, imiprothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin,
permethrin, prallethrin, pyrethrin I and II, resmethrin,
silafluofen, tau-fluvalinate, tefluthrin, tetramethrin,
tralomethrin, transfluthrin, profluthrin, and dimefluthrin; an
insect growth regulator selected from the group consisting of a) a
chitin synthesis inhibitor wherein said chitin synthesis inhibitor
is a benzoylurea selected from the group consisting of
chlorfluazuron, cyramazin, diflubenzuron, flucycloxuron,
flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron, teflubenzuron,
tri-flumuron; buprofezin, diofenolan, hexythiazox, etoxazole, and
clofentazine; b) an ecdysone antagonist selected from the group
consisting of halofenozide, methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide, and
azadirachtin; c) a juvenoid selected from the group consisting of
pyriproxyfen, methoprene, and fenoxycarb; or d) a lipid
biosynthesis inhibitor selected from the group consisting of
spirodiclofen, spi-romesifen, and spirotetramat; a nicotinic
receptor agonist/antagonist compound selected from the group
consisting of clothianidin, di-notefuran, imidacloprid,
thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, acetamiprid, thi-acloprid, and
1-(2-chloro-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-2-nitrimino-3,5-dimethyl-[1,3,5]triazinan-
e; a GABA antagonist compound selected from the group consisting
of
endosulfan, ethiprole, fipronil, vaniliprole, pyrafluprole,
pyriprole, and
5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-methyl-phenyl)-4-sulfinamoyl-1H
pyrazole-3-carbothioic acid amide; a macrocyclic lactone
insecticide selected from the group consisting of abamectin,
emamectin, milbemec-tin, lepimectin, spinosad, and spinetoram; a
mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor (METI) I acaricide
selected from the group consisting of fenazaquin, pyridaben,
tebufenpyrad, tolfenpyrad, and flufenerim; an METI II and III
compound selected from the group consisting of acequinocyl,
fluacyprim, and hydramethyl-non; chlorfenapyr; an oxidative
phosphorylation inhibitor selected from the group consisting of
cyhexatin, diafenthiuron, fenbu-tatin oxide, and propargite;
cryomazine; piperonyl butoxide; a sodium channel blocker selected
from the group consisting of indoxacarb and metaflumizone; and
another compound selected from the group consisting of benclothiaz,
bifenazate, cartap, flonicamid, pyridalyl, pymetrozine, sulfur,
thiocyclam, flubendiamide, chlorantraniliprole, cyazypyr (HGW86);
cyenopyrafen, flupyrazofos, cyflumetofen, ami-doflumet, imicyafos,
bistrifluoron, and pyrifluquinazon.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a commercially
available formulation of the Bacillus subtilis strain is used.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein component (II) is
selected from the groups A) to G).
19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein component (II) is
selected from the groups A), B), C), E) and G).
20. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein component (II) is
selected from group A).
21. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein component (II) is
pyraclostrobin.
22. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein component (II) is
selected from Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper hydroxide,
copper oxychloride, basic copper sulfate and sulfur.
23. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a) the Bacillus
subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free
extract thereof, and/or a mutant of this strain or extract having
all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain or
extract as component (I) and b) one chemical compound as component
(II), selected from the active compound groups A) to J) as defined
in claim 16 are applied in a weight ratio of from 100:1 to
1:100.
24. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the composition
comprises a) the Bacillus subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No.
B-21661 or a cell-free extract thereof, and/or a mutant of this
strain or extract having all the identifying characteristics of the
respective strain or extract as component (I) and b) one chemical
compound as component (II), selected from the active compound
groups A) to J) as defined in claim 16 are applied simultaneously,
that is jointly or separately, or in succession.
25. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the seed is
treated.
26. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the application is
carried out as in-furrow and/or foliar treatment.
27. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a repeated
application is carried out.
28. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein component (II)
selected from the active compound groups (A) to (J) is applied
before the Pre-harvest interval while component (I) is applied
during the Pre-harvest interval.
29. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the agricultural
plant is selected from soybean, corn, wheat, triticale, barley,
oat, rye, rape, millet, rice, sunflower, cotton, sugar beet, pome
fruit, stone fruit, citrus, banana, strawberry, blueberry, almond,
grape, mango, papaya, peanut, potato, tomato, pepper, cucurbit,
cucumber, melon, watermelon, garlic, onion, broccoli, carrot,
cabbage, bean, dry bean, canola, pea, lentil, alfalfa, trefoil,
clover, flax, elephant grass, grass, lettuce, sugarcane, tea,
tobacco and coffee; each in its natural or genetically modified
form.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for increasing the
vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural plants under essentially
non-existent pathogen pressure, wherein the plants, the plant
propagules, the seed of the plants and/or the locus where the
plants are growing or are intended to grow are treated with an
effective amount of a composition comprising [0002] a) the Bacillus
subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free
extract thereof, and/or a mutant of this strain or extract having
all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain or
extract as component (I), and [0003] b) optionally at least one
chemical compound as component (II), selected from the active
compound groups A) to J): [0004] A) strobilurins selected from the
group consisting of azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, enestroburin,
fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, metominostrobin, orysastrobin,
picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin, pyribencarb, trifloxystrobin,
2-(2-(6-(3-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxy)-5-fluoro-pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl)-2-
-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide,
3-methoxy-2-(2-(N-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropane-carboximidoylsulfanylme-
thyl)-phenyl)-acrylic acid methyl ester, methyl
(2-chloro-5-[1-(3-methylbenzyloxyimino)-ethyl]benzyl)carbamate and
2-(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-allylideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl)-2-
-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide; [0005] B) carboxamides selected
from the group consisting of [0006] carboxanilides: benalaxyl,
benalaxyl-M, benodanil, bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram,
fenhexamid, flutolanil, furametpyr, isopyrazam, isotianil,
kiralaxyl, mepronil, metalaxyl, metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), ofurace,
oxadixyl, oxycarboxin, penthiopyrad, sedaxane, tecloftalam,
thifluzamide, tiadinil, 2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole-5-carboxanilide,
2-chloro-N-(1,1,3-trimethyl-indan-4-yl)-nicotinamide,
N-(3',4',5'-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-
-4-carboxamide,
N-(4'-trifluoromethylthiobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyra-
zole-4-carboxamide,
N-(2-(1,3-dimethyl-butyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazole-4-car-
boxamide and
N-(2-(1,3,3-trimethyl-butyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazole-4--
carboxamide; [0007] carboxylic morpholides: dimethomorph, flumorph,
pyrimorph; [0008] benzoic acid amides: flumetover, fluopicolide,
fluopyram, zoxamide,
N-(3-Ethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl)-3-formylamino-2-hydroxy-benzamide;
[0009] other carboxamides: carpropamid, dicyclomet, mandiproamid,
oxytetracyclin, silthiofarm and
N-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid amide; [0010]
C) azoles selected from the group consisting of [0011] triazoles:
azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole, cyproconazole,
difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M, epoxiconazole,
fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol,
hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole,
myclobutanil, oxpoconazole, paclobutrazole, penconazole,
propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole,
tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole,
uniconazole,
1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-([1,2,4]triazol-1-yl)-cycloheptanol; [0012]
imidazoles: cyazofamid, imazalil, pefurazoate, prochloraz,
triflumizol; [0013] benzimidazoles: benomyl, carbendazim,
fuberidazole, thiabendazole; [0014] others: ethaboxam, etridiazole,
hymexazole and
2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-N-[4-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-2-prop-2-y-
nyloxy-acetamide; [0015] D) heterocyclic compounds selected from
the group consisting of [0016] pyridines: fluazinam, pyrifenox,
3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine,
3-[5-(4-methyl-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine,
2,3,5,6-tetra-chloro-4-methanesulfonyl-pyridine,
3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-di-carbonitrile,
N-(1-(5-bromo-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl)-2,4-dichloronicotinamide,
N-[(5-bromo-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-methyl]-2,4-dichloro-nicotinamide;
[0017] pyrimidines: bupirimate, cyprodinil, diflumetorim,
fenarimol, ferimzone, mepanipyrim, nitrapyrin, nuarimol,
pyrimethanil; [0018] piperazines: triforine; [0019] pyrroles:
fenpiclonil, fludioxonil; [0020] morpholines: aldimorph, dodemorph,
dodemorph-acetate, fenpropimorph, tridemorph; [0021] piperidines:
fenpropidin; [0022] dicarboximides: fluoroimid, iprodione,
procymidone, vinclozolin; [0023] non-aromatic 5-membered
heterocycles: famoxadone, fenamidone, flutianil, octhilinone,
probenazole,
5-amino-2-isopropyl-3-oxo-4-ortho-tolyl-2,3-dihydro-pyrazole-1-carbothioi-
c acid S-allyl ester; [0024] others: acibenzolar-5-methyl,
amisulbrom, anilazin, blasticidin-S, captafol, captan,
chinomethionat, dazomet, debacarb, diclomezine, difenzoquat,
difenzoquat-methylsulfate, fenoxanil, Folpet, oxolinic acid,
piperalin, proquinazid, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, triazoxide,
tricyclazole, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromen-4-one,
5-chloro-1-(4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole,
5-chloro-7-(4-methyl-piperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]tri-
azolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and
5-ethyl-6-octyl-[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7-ylamine; [0025]
E) carbamates selected from the group consisting of [0026] thio-
and dithiocarbamates: ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metam,
methasulphocarb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb, ziram; [0027]
carbamates: benthiavalicarb, diethofencarb, iprovalicarb,
propamocarb, propamocarb hydrochlorid, valiphenal and
N-(1-(1-(4-cyano-phenyl)-ethanesulfonyl)-but-2-yl) carbamic
acid-(4-fluorophenyl) ester; [0028] F) other active substances
selected from the group consisting of [0029] guanidines: guanidine,
dodine, dodine free base, guazatine, guazatine-acetate,
iminoctadine, iminoctadine-triacetate,
iminoctadine-tris(albesilate); [0030] antibiotics: kasugamycin,
kasugamycin hydrochloride-hydrate, streptomycin, polyoxine,
validamycin A, streptomycin; [0031] nitrophenyl derivates:
binapacryl, dinobuton, dinocap, nitrthal-isopropyl, tecnazen,
organometal compounds: fentin salts, such as fentin-acetate, fentin
chloride or fentin hydroxide; [0032] sulfur-containing heterocyclyl
compounds: dithianon, isoprothiolane; [0033] organophosphorus
compounds: edifenphos, fosetyl, fosetyl-aluminum, iprobenfos,
phosphorous acid and its salts, pyrazophos, tolclofos-methyl;
[0034] organochlorine compounds: chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid,
dichlorophen, flusulfamide, hexachlorobenzene, pencycuron,
pentachlorphenole and its salts, phthalide, quintozene,
thiophanate-methyl, tolylfluanid,
N-(4-chloro-2-nitro-phenyl)-N-ethyl-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide;
[0035] inorganic active substances: Bordeaux mixture, copper
acetate, copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, basic copper
sulfate, sulfur; [0036] others: biphenyl, bronopol, cyflufenamid,
cymoxanil, diphenylamin, metrafenone, mildiomycin, oxin-copper,
prohexadione-calcium, spiroxamine, tolylfluanid,
N-(cyclopropylmethoxyimino-(6-difluoro-methoxy-2,3-difluoro-phenyl)-methy-
l)-2-phenyl acetamide,
N'-(4-(4-chloro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-
-methyl formamidine,
N'-(4-(4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenoxy)-2,5-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-ethyl-N-
-methyl formamidine,
N'-(2-methyl-5-trifluoromethyl-4-(3-trimethylsilanyl-propoxy)-phenyl)-N-e-
thyl-N-methyl formamidine,
N'-(5-difluoromethyl-2-methyl-4-(3-trimethylsilanyl-propoxy)-phenyl)-N-et-
hyl-N-methyl formamidine,
2-{1-[2-(5-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-pyrazole-1-yl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl-
}-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid
methyl-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-yl)-amide,
2-{1-[2-(5-methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-pyrazole-1-yl)-acetyl]-piperidin-4-yl-
}-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid
methyl-(R)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalen-1-yl-amide, acetic acid
6-tert.-butyl-8-fluoro-2,3-dimethyl-quinolin-4-yl ester and
methoxy-acetic acid
6-tert-butyl-8-fluoro-2,3-dimethyl-quinolin-4-yl ester; fentin
acetate, fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide; [0037] G) plant growth
regulators (PGRs) selected from the group consisting of abscisic
acid, amidochlor, ancymidol, 6-benzylaminopurine, brassinolide,
butralin, chlormequat (chlormequat chloride), choline chloride,
cyclanilide, daminozide, dikegulac, dimethipin,
2,6-dimethylpuridine, ethephon, flumetralin, flurprimidol,
fluthiacet, forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid, inabenfide,
indole-3-acetic acid, maleic hydrazide, mefluidide, mepiquat
(mepiquat chloride), naphthaleneacetic acid, N-6-benzyladenine,
paclobutrazol, prohexadione (prohexadione-calcium), prohydrojasmon,
thidiazuron, triapenthenol, tributyl phosphorotrithioate,
2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid, trinexapac-ethyl and uniconazole;
[0038] H) herbicides selected from the group consisting of [0039]
acetamides: acetochlor, alachlor, butachlor, dimethachlor,
dimethenamid, flufenacet, mefenacet, metolachlor, metazachlor,
napropamide, naproanilide, pethoxamid, pretilachlor, propachlor,
thenylchlor; [0040] amino acid derivatives: bilanafos, glufosinate,
sulfosate; [0041] aryloxyphenoxypropionates: clodinafop,
cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop, fluazifop, haloxyfop, metamifop,
propaquizafop, quizalofop, quizalofop-P-tefuryl; [0042] Bipyridyls:
diquat, paraquat; [0043] (thio)carbamates: asulam, butylate,
carbetamide, desmedipham, dime-piperate, eptam (EPTC), esprocarb,
molinate, orbencarb, phenmedipham, prosulfocarb, pyributicarb,
thiobencarb, triallate; [0044] cyclohexanediones: butroxydim,
clethodim, cycloxydim, profoxydim, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim,
tralkoxydim; [0045] dinitroanilines: benfluralin, ethalfluralin,
oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, trifluralin; [0046] diphenyl
ethers: acifluorfen, aclonifen, bifenox, diclofop, ethoxyfen,
fomesafen, lactofen, oxyfluorfen; [0047] hydroxybenzonitriles:
bomoxynil, dichlobenil, ioxynil; [0048] imidazolinones:
imazamethabenz, imazamox, imazapic, imazapyr, imazaquin,
imazethapyr; [0049] phenoxy acetic acids: clomeprop,
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4-DB, dichlorprop, MCPA,
MCPA-thioethyl, MCPB, Mecoprop; [0050] pyrazines: chloridazon,
flufenpyr-ethyl, fluthiacet, norflurazon, pyridate; [0051]
pyridines: aminopyralid, clopyralid, diflufenican, dithiopyr,
fluridone, fluroxypyr, picloram, picolinafen, thiazopyr; [0052]
sulfonyl ureas: amidosulfuron, azimsulfuron, bensulfuron,
chlorimuronethyl, chlorsulfuron, cinosulfuron, cyclosulfamuron,
ethoxysulfuron, flazasulfuron, flucetosulfuron, flupyrsulfuron,
foramsulfuron, halosulfuron, imazosulfuron, iodosulfuron,
mesosulfuron, metsulfuron-methyl, nicosulfuron, oxasulfuron,
primisulfuron, prosulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, rimsulfuron,
sulfometuron, sulfosulfuron, thifensulfuron, triasulfuron,
tribenuron, trifloxysulfuron, triflusulfuron, tritosulfuron,
1-((2-chloro-6-propyl-imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazin-3-yl)sulfonyl)-3-(4,6-dimet-
hoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)urea; [0053] triazines: ametryn, atrazine,
cyanazine, dimethametryn, ethiozin, hexazinone, metamitron,
metribuzin, prometryn, simazine, terbuthylazine, terbutryn,
triaziflam; [0054] ureas: chlorotoluron, daimuron, diuron,
fluometuron, isoproturon, linuron, methabenzthiazuron, tebuthiuron;
[0055] other acetolactate synthase inhibitors: bispyribac-sodium,
cloransulam-methyl, diclosulam, florasulam, flucarbazone,
flumetsulam, metosulam, ortho-sulfamuron, penoxsulam,
propoxycarbazone, pyribambenz-propyl, pyribenzoxim, pyriftalid,
pyriminobac-methyl, pyrimisulfan, pyrithiobac, pyroxasulfone,
pyroxsulam; [0056] others: amicarbazone, aminotriazole, anilofos,
beflubutamid, benazolin, bencarbazone, benfluresate, benzofenap,
bentazone, benzobicyclon, bromacil, bromobutide, butafenacil,
butamifos, cafenstrole, carfentrazone, cinidon-ethlyl, chlorthal,
cinmethylin, clomazone, cumyluron, cyprosulfamide, dicamba,
difenzoquat, diflufenzopyr, Drechslera monoceras, endothal,
ethofumesate, etobenzanid, fentrazamide, flumiclorac-pentyl,
flumioxazin, flupoxam, fluorochloridone, flurtamone, indanofan,
isoxaben, isoxaflutole, lenacil, propanil, propyzamide, quinclorac,
quinmerac, mesotrione, methyl arsonic acid, naptalam, oxadiargyl,
oxadiazon, oxaziclomefone, pentoxazone, pinoxaden, pyraclonil,
pyraflufen-ethyl, pyrasulfotole, pyrazoxyfen, pyrazolynate,
quinoclamine, saflufenacil, sulcotrione, sulfentrazone, terbacil,
tefuryltrione, tembotrione, thiencarbazone, topramezone,
4-hydroxy-3-[2-(2-methoxy-ethoxymethyl)-6-trifluoromethyl-pyridine-3-carb-
onyl]-bicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-en-2-one,
(3-[2-chloro-4-fluoro-5-(3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-trifluoromethyl-3,6-dihydro-
-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)-phenoxy]-pyridin-2-yloxy)-acetic acid ethyl
ester, 6-amino-5-chloro-2-cyclopropyl-pyrimidine-4-carboxylic acid
methyl ester,
6-chloro-3-(2-cyclopropyl-6-methyl-phenoxy)-pyridazin-4-ol,
4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-fluoro-pyridine-2-carboxylic
acid,
4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-2-fluoro-3-methoxy-phenyl)-pyridine-2-carbox-
ylic acid methyl ester, and
4-amino-3-chloro-6-(4-chloro-3-dimethylamino-2-fluoro-phenyl)-pyridine-2--
carboxylic acid methyl ester; [0057] J) insecticides selected from
the group consisting of [0058] organo(thio)phosphates: acephate,
azamethiphos, azinphos-methyl, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl,
chlorfenvinphos, diazinon, dichlorvos, dicrotophos, dimethoate,
disulfoton, ethion, fenitrothion, fenthion, isoxathion, malathion,
methamidophos, methidathion, methyl-parathion, mevinphos,
monocrotophos, oxydemeton-methyl, paraoxon, parathion, phenthoate,
phosalone, phosmet, phosphamidon, phorate, phoxim,
pirimiphos-methyl, profenofos, prothiofos, sulprophos,
tetrachlorvinphos, terbufos, triazophos, trichlorfon; [0059]
carbamates: alanycarb, aldicarb, bendiocarb, benfuracarb, carbaryl,
carbofuran, carbosulfan, fenoxycarb, furathiocarb, methiocarb,
methomyl, oxamyl, pirimicarb, propoxur, thiodicarb, triazamate;
[0060] pyrethroids: allethrin, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cyhalothrin,
cyphenothrin, cypermethrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin,
zetacypermethrin, deltamethrin, esfenvalerate, etofenprox,
fenpropathrin, fenvalerate, imiprothrin, lambda-cyhalothrin,
permethrin, prallethrin, pyrethrin I and II, resmethrin,
silafluofen, tau-fluvalinate, tefiuthrin, tetramethrin,
tralomethrin, transfluthrin, profluthrin, dimefiuthrin; [0061]
insect growth regulators: a) chitin synthesis inhibitors:
benzoylureas: chlorfluazuron, cyramazin, diflubenzuron,
flucycloxuron, flufenoxuron, hexaflumuron, lufenuron, novaluron,
teflubenzuron, triflumuron; buprofezin, diofenolan, hexythiazox,
etoxazole, clofentazine; b) ecdysone antagonists: halofenozide,
methoxyfenozide, tebufenozide, azadirachtin; c) juvenoids:
pyriproxyfen, methoprene, fenoxycarb; d) lipid biosynthesis
inhibitors: spirodiclofen, spiromesifen, spirotetramat; [0062]
nicotinic receptor agonists/antagonists compounds: clothianidin,
dinotefuran, imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, nitenpyram, acetamiprid,
thiacloprid,
1-(2-chloro-thiazol-5-ylmethyl)-2-nitrimino-3,5-dimethyl-[1,3,5]triazinan-
e; [0063] GABA antagonist compounds: endosulfan, ethiprole,
fipronil, vaniliprole, pyrafluprole, pyriprole,
5-amino-1-(2,6-dichloro-4-methyl-phenyl)-4-sulfinamoyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carb-
othioic acid amide; [0064] macrocyclic lactone insecticides:
abamectin, emamectin, milbemectin, lepimectin, spinosad,
spinetoram; [0065] mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor
(METI) I acaricides: fenazaquin, pyridaben, tebufenpyrad,
tolfenpyrad, flufenerim;
[0066] METI II and III compounds: acequinocyl, fluacyprim,
hydramethylnon; [0067] uncouplers: chlorfenapyr; [0068] oxidative
phosphorylation inhibitors: cyhexatin, diafenthiuron, fenbutatin
oxide, propargite; [0069] moulting disruptor compounds: cryomazine;
[0070] mixed function oxidase inhibitors: piperonyl butoxide;
[0071] sodium channel blockers: indoxacarb, metaflumizone; [0072]
others: benclothiaz, bifenazate, cartap, flonicamid, pyridalyl,
pymetrozine, sulfur, thiocyclam, flubendiamide,
chlorantraniliprole, cyazypyr (HGW86), cyenopyrafen, flupyrazofos,
cyflumetofen, amidoflumet, imicyafos, bistrifluoron, and
pyrifluquinazon.
[0073] All mixtures set forth above are also an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0074] In one embodiment, the invention relates to the use of the
Bacillus subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or a
cell-free extract thereof, and/or a mutant of this strain or
extract having all the identify-ing characteristics of the
respective strain or extract as component (I), and optionally of at
least one chemical compound as component (II), selected from the
active compound groups A) to J), for increasing the vigor and/or
crop yield of agricultural plants under essentially non-existent
pathogen pressure.
[0075] The below remarks as to preferred embodiments of component
(I) as well as component (II) and respective mixtures and/or
compositions comprising component (I) as well as component (II), to
their preferred use and methods of using them are to be understood
either each on their own or preferably in combination with each
other.
[0076] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to
a method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural
plants under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure, wherein
the plants, the plant propagules, the seed of the plants and/or the
locus where the plants are growing or are intended to grow are
treated with an effective amount of a composition comprising [0077]
a) the Bacillus subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or
a cell-free extract thereof, and/or a mutant of this strain or
extract having all the identifying characteristics of the
respective strain or extract as component (I), and [0078] b) one
chemical compound as component (II), selected from the active
compound groups A) to J) as defined above, in a weight ratio of
from 100:1 to 1:100.
[0079] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention
relates to a method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of
agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen
pressure, wherein the plants, the plant propagules, the seed of the
plants and/or the locus where the plants are growing or are
intended to grow are treated with an effective amount of a
composition comprising [0080] a) the Bacillus subtilis strain with
NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free extract thereof, and/or a
mutant of this strain or extract having all the identifying
characteristics of the respective strain or extract as component
(I), and [0081] b) two chemical compounds as component (II),
selected from the active compound groups A) to J) as defined
above.
[0082] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention
relates to a method for increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of
agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen
pressure, wherein the plants, the plant propagules, the seed of the
plants and/or the locus where the plants are growing or are
intended to grow are treated with an effective amount of a
composition comprising [0083] a) the Bacillus subtilis strain with
NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free extract thereof, and/or a
mutant of this strain or extract having all the identifying
characteristics of the respective strain or extract as component
(I) and [0084] b) one chemical compound as component (II), selected
from the active compound groups A) to J) as defined in claim 1 are
applied simultaneously, that is jointly or separately, or in
succession.
[0085] Component (I) embraces not only the isolated, pure cultures
of the Bacillus subtilis strain or a cell-free extract thereof, but
also their suspensions in a whole broth culture or a
metabolite-containing supernatant or a purified metabolite obtained
from a whole broth culture of the strain.
[0086] The Bacillus subtilis strain, extracts and mutants thereof,
and the metabolites produced by this strain, its preparation and
action against harmful fungi is known from WO 98/50422 and WO
00/29426, therein also referred to as AQ 713 (QST 713). Said
strain, however, may also be referred to in the prior art as
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens.
[0087] SERENADE.RTM. is a microbial biological control agent based
on Bacillus subtilis which protects against fungal and bacterial
plant pathogens. Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 is a naturally
occurring widespread bacterium that can be used to control plant
diseases including blight, scab, gray mold, and several types of
mildew. Regulatory authorities in USA and Europe classified
Bacillus subtilis QST 713 as displaying no adverse effects on
humans or the environment. The bacterium, Bacillus subtilis, is
prevalent in soils and has been found in a variety of habitats
worldwide. The QST 713 strain of Bacillus subtilis is known to be
antagonistic towards many fungal plant pathogens.
[0088] This antagonism may be achieved in several ways including
nutrient competition, site exclusion, colonization, and attachment
of the bacteria to the fungal pathogen. In addition, the QST 713
strain of Bacillus subtilis might induce plant's natural systemic
resistance or systemic acquired resistance (SAR) against bacterial
pathogens. QST 713 can stop plant pathogen spores from germinating,
disrupt germ tube growth, and inhibit attachment of the plant
pathogen to the leaf.
[0089] Suitable formulations of the Bacillus subtilis strain with
NRRL Accession No. B-21661 are commercially available under the
tradenames SERENADE.RTM., SERENADE.RTM. MAX and SERENADE.RTM. ASO
from AgraQuest, Inc., 1540 Drew Avenue, Davis, Calif. 95618,
U.S.A.
[0090] In one embodiment, a commercially available formulation of
the above identified Bacillus subtilis strain is used.
[0091] A reduction of yield loss due to the control of fungal
pathogens by component (I) is well known (see, for example Highland
(2002): Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc.: 115, 186-188).
[0092] In a presentation at the 2008 Acorbat conference, results
were presented showing that when Bacillus subtilis QST 713,
formulated as the SERENADE.RTM. product, was applied to black
sigatoka-infected bananas, it controlled disease comparable to the
chemical standard (mancozeb) resulting in an increased banana bunch
production by 30% above the mancozeb-treated plots (see Manker and
Seiler (2008): "Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 as an Alternative
Protectant Multi-Site Fungicide for Sustainable Controt of Black
Sigatoka in Banana Production" distributed Nov. 10, 2008 at Acorbat
conference in Guayaquil, Ecuador).
[0093] However, the fact that the application of the Bacillus
subtilis strain with NRRL Accession No. B-21661 or a cell-free
extract thereof, and/or a mutant of this strain or extract having
all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain or
extract increases the vigor and/or the yield of agricultural plants
even under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure is new and
surprising because it could not have been expected that the yield
and/or vigor increase would generally be above the level that could
be reached by combating the phytopathogenic fungi and/or bacteria
known to reduce a crop's vigor and yield. This is especially true
with respect to the application of compositions comprising
component (I) and at least one component (II) which have shown to
be able to synergistically increase of a crop's vigor and yield
according to the invention.
[0094] The term "essentially non-existent pathogen pressure" refers
to a situation in which pathogens are present within the area of
growth of a plant but in a quantity that is not harmful to the
plant and which does neither result in a decrease of vigor nor in a
decrease of yield.
[0095] In view of the increasing world population of humans, it
becomes more and more important to increase the worldwide food
production (yield) and food quality which is based upon healthy
plants that display high levels of vigor.
[0096] Accordingly, it was an object of the present invention to
provide agents which increase the vigor and/or yield of plants to
an extent which is more than healthy plants under essentially
non-existent pathogen pressure would produce, whereas the term
pathogen shall primarily mean fungal pathogens and optionally
bacterial pathogens causing damage to plants, preferably both
fungal and bacterial pathogens.
[0097] We have found that this object is achieved by applying
component (I) and, optionally at least one component (II) as
defined at the outset. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
component (I) and at least one component (II) as defined at the
outset, are applied. By simultaneous, that is joint or separate,
application of component (I) and at least one component (II), the
vigor and/or the yield of agricultural plants may be increased in a
superadditive that means synergistic manner.
[0098] The concept of using biopesticides such as a SERENADE.RTM.
product in combination with chemicals is new and has a number of
benefits. One of the most important is the fact that biopesticides
such as SERENADE.RTM. don't leave any chemical residues on the
crops, meaning that they can be used right up to the day of
harvest. Crops are usually left perilously unprotected in the days
leading up to harvest, as conventional pesticides cannot be applied
during this time. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the
method according to the invention, at least one component (II)
selected from the active compound groups (A) to (J) are applied
before the Pre-Harvest Intervall while compound (I) is applied
during the Pre-Harvest Intervall.
[0099] The term "Pre-Harvest Interval" is to be understood as the
time between the last pesticide application (component II) and
harvest of the treated crops.
[0100] The term "principal growth stage" refers to the extended
BBCH-scale which is a system for a uniform coding of phenologically
similar growth stages of all mono- and dicotyledonous plant species
in which the entire developmental cycle of the plants is subdivided
into clearly recognizable and distinguishable longer-lasting
developmental phases. The BBCH-scale uses a decimal code system,
which is divided into principal and secondary growth stages. The
abbreviation BBCH derives from the Federal Biological Research
Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (Germany), the Bundessortenamt
(Germany) and the chemical industry. A BBCH value of 23/29
indicates that the plants measured had reached a growing stadium in
between 23 and 29.
[0101] NRRL is the abbreviation for the Agricultural Research
Service Culture Collection, an international depositary authority
for the purposes of deposing microorganism strains under the
BUDAPEST TREATY ON THE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF THE DEPOSIT OF
MICROORGANISMS FOR THE PURPOSES OF PATENT PROCEDURE, having the
address National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research,
Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815
North University Street, Peoria, Ill. 61604, USA.
[0102] Component (I) embraces not only the isolated, pure cultures
of the Bacillus subtilis strain, but also its suspensions in a
whole broth culture or as a metabolite-containing supernatant or a
purified metabolite obtained from a whole broth culture of the
strain.
[0103] "Whole broth culture" refers to a liquid culture containing
both cells and media.
[0104] "Supernatant" refers to the liquid broth remaining when
cells grown in broth are removed by centrifugation, filtration,
sedimentation, or other means well known in the art.
[0105] The term "metabolite" refers to any compound, substance or
byproduct produced by a microorganism (such as fungi and bacteria)
that has fungicidal activity.
[0106] The chemical compounds mentioned above as component (II) are
generally known (cf., for example,
http://www.hclrss.demon.co.uk/index.html); most of them are
commercially available. Their pesticidal action and methods for
producing them are also known. For instance, the commercially
available compounds may be found in The Pesticide Manual, 14th
Edition, British Crop Protection Council (2006) among other
publications.
[0107] Bixafen is known from WO 03/070705; penflufen is known from
WO 03/010149; Sedaxane is known from WO 03/074491; they can be
prepared in the manner described therein. Isopyrazam is known from
WO 04/035589 and can be prepared in the manner described therein or
as described in WO
2007/068417.N-(3',4',5'-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-
-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide is known from WO 06/087343 and can be
prepared in the manner described therein. Metrafenone,
3'-bromo-2,3,4,6'-tetramethoxy-2',6-dimethylbenzophenone, is known
from U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,567.
[0108] The compounds according to the invention can be present in
different crystal modifications whose biological activity may
differ. They are likewise subject matter of the present
invention.
[0109] Preference is given to the application of component (I) in
combination with at least one component (II).
[0110] Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment of the method
according to the invention, component (I) is applied together with
a component (II) selected from the groups A), B), C), D), E), F)
and G). In a more preferred embodiment of the method according to
the invention, component (I) is applied together with a component
(II) selected from the groups A), B), C), E) and G). In an even
more preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention,
component (I) is applied together with a component (II) selected
from the groups A) and B). In a most preferred embodiment of the
method according to the invention, component (I) is applied
together with a component (II) selected from the group A).
[0111] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention,
component (I) is applied together with a component (II) selected
from group A) (strobilurins) consisting of azoxystrobin,
dimoxystrobin, enestroburin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl,
metominostrobin, orysastrobin, picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin,
pyribencarb, trifloxystrobin,
2-(2-(6-(3-chloro-2-methyl-phenoxy)-5-fluoro-pyrimidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl)-2-
-methoxyimino-N-methyl-acetamide,
3-methoxy-2-(2-(N-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-cyclopropane-carboximidoylsulfanylme-
thyl)-phenyl)-acrylic acid methyl ester, methyl
(2-chloro-5[1-(3-methylbenzyloxyimino)ethyl]benzyl)carbamate and 2
(2-(3-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-allylideneaminooxymethyl)-phenyl)-2-m-
ethoxyimino-N methyl-acetamide. Among the group A) comprising
strobilurins as component (II), azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin,
enestroburin, fluoxastrobin, kresoxim-methyl, orysastrobin,
picoxystrobin, pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin are preferred.
Azoxystrobin, dimoxystrobin, and pyraclostrobin are especially
preferred. Pyraclostrobin is most preferred.
[0112] In a especially preferred embodiment of the invention,
component (I) is applied with pyraclostrobin as component (II).
[0113] In another especially preferred embodiment of the invention,
component (I) is applied with epoxiconazole and pyraclostrobin as
component (II).
[0114] In another embodiment of the method according to the
invention, component (I) is applied together with a component (II)
selected from group B) (carboxamides) consisting of [0115]
carboxanilides selected from benalaxyl, benalaxyl-M, benodanil,
bixafen, boscalid, carboxin, fenfuram, fenhexamid, flutolanil,
furametpyr, isopyrazam, isotianil, kiralaxyl, mepronil, metalaxyl,
metalaxyl-M (mefenoxam), ofurace, oxadixyl, oxycarboxin,
penthiopyrad, sedaxane, tecloftalam, thifluzamide, tiadinil,
2-amino-4-methyl-thiazole-5-carboxanilide, 2 chloro-N
(1,1,3-trimethyl-indan-4-yl)-nicotinamide, N-(3',4',5'
trifluorobiphenyl-2 yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4
carboxamide, N-(4'-trifluoromethylthiobiphenyl-2-yl)-3
di-fluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide, N (2-(1,3
dimethyl-butyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide
and
N-(2-(1,3,3-trimethyl-butyl)-phenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-5-fluoro-1H-pyrazol-
e-4 carboxamide; [0116] carboxylic morpholides selected from
dimethomorph, flumorph and pyrimorph; [0117] benzoic acid amides
selected from flumetover, fluopicolide, fluopyram, zoxamide and
N-(3-Ethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl-cyclohexyl)-3-formylamino-2-hydroxy-benzamide;
[0118] other carboxamides selected from carpropamid, dicyclomet,
mandiproamid, oxytetracyclin, silthiofarm and
N-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid amide.
[0119] Among the group B) comprising carboxamides as component
(II), carboxanilides, carboxylic morpholides and benzoic acid
amides are preferred. Within the group of carboxanilides, bixafen,
boscalid and
N-(3',4',5'-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-
-4-carboxamide are especially preferred. Within the group of
carboxylic morpholides, dimethomorph and flumorph are especially
preferred. Within the group of benzoic acid amides, zoxamide is
especially preferred. Bixafen, boscalid and
N-(3',4',5'-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-
-4-carboxamide are even more preferred.
N-(3',4',5'-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-
-4-carboxamide is most preferred.
[0120] In a especially preferred embodiment of the invention,
component (I) is applied with boscalid as component (II). In
another especially preferred embodiment of the invention, component
(I) is applied with
N-(3',4',5'-trifluorobiphenyl-2-yl)-3-difluoromethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-
-4-carboxamide as component (II).
[0121] In another embodiment of the method according to the
invention, component (I) is applied together with a component (II)
selected from group C) (azoles) consisting of [0122] triazoles
selected from azaconazole, bitertanol, bromuconazole,
cyproconazole, difenoconazole, diniconazole, diniconazole-M,
epoxiconazole, fen-buconazole, fluquinconazole, flusilazole,
flutriafol, hexaconazole, imibenconazole, ipconazole, metconazole,
myclobutanil, oxpocona-zole, paclobutrazole, penconazole,
propiconazole, prothioconazole, simeconazole, tebuconazole,
tetraconazole, triadimefon, triadimenol, triticonazole, uniconazole
and 1-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2-([1,2,4]triazol-1-yl)-cycloheptanol;
[0123] imidazoles selected from cyazofamid, imazalil, pefurazoate,
prochloraz and triflumizol; [0124] benzimidazoles selected from
benomyl, carbendazim, fuberidazole and thiabendazole; [0125] others
selected from ethaboxam, etridiazole, hymexazole and
2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-N-[4-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-isoxazol-5-yl]-2-prop-2-y-
nyloxy-acetamide.
[0126] Among group C) comprising azoles as component (II),
triazoles, imidazoles, benzimidazoles and ethaboxam are preferred.
Within the group of triazoles, bitertanol, cyproconazole,
difenoconazole, epoxiconazole, fenbuconazole, fluquinconazole,
flusilazole, flutriafol, hexaconazole, metconazole, myclobutanil,
propiconazole, tebuconazole and triticonazole are especially
preferred. Within the group of imidazole, cyazofamid and prochloraz
are especially preferred. Within the group of benzimidazoles,
benomyl, carbendazim and thiabendazole are especially preferred.
Within group C), cyproconazole, difenoconazole, epoxiconazole and
tebuconazole are especially preferred. Epoxiconazole is most
preferred.
[0127] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention,
component (I) is applied with epoxiconazole as component (II).
[0128] In another especially preferred embodiment of the invention,
component (I) is applied with difenoconazole and mefenoxam as
component (II).
[0129] In another embodiment of the method according to the
invention, component (I) is applied together with a component (II)
selected from the group D) (heterocyclic compounds) consisting of
[0130] pyridines selected from fluazinam, pyrifenox,
3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine,
3-[5-(4-methyl-phenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-isoxazolidin-3-yl]-pyridine,
2,3,5,6-tetra-chloro-4-methanesulfonyl-pyridine,
3,4,5-trichloropyridine-2,6-di-carbonitrile,
N-(1-(5-bromo-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-ethyl)-2,4-dichloronicotinamide
and N [(5
bromo-3-chloro-pyridin-2-yl)-methyl]-2,4-dichloro-nicotinamide;
[0131] pyrimidines selected from bupirimate, cyprodinil,
diflumetorim, fenarimol, ferimzone, mepanipyrim, nitrapyrin,
nuarimol, pyrimethanil; [0132] piperazines: triforine; [0133]
pyrroles selected from fenpiclonil and fludioxonil; [0134]
morpholines selected from aldimorph, dodemorph, dodemorph-acetate,
fen-propi-morph and tridemorph; [0135] piperidines: fenpropidin;
[0136] dicarboximides selected from fluoroimid, iprodione,
procymidone and vinclozolin; [0137] non-aromatic 5-membered
heterocycles selected from famoxadone, fenamidone, flutianil,
octhilinone, probenazole and
5-amino-2-isopropyl-3-oxo-4-orthotolyl-2,3-dihydro-pyrazole-1
carbothioic acid S-allyl ester; [0138] others selected from
acibenzolar-5-methyl, amisulbrom, anilazin, blasticidin-S,
captafol, captan, chinomethionat, dazomet, debacarb, diclomezine,
difenzoquat, difenzoquat-methylsulfate, fenoxanil, Folpet, oxolinic
acid, piperalin, proquinazid, pyroquilon, quinoxyfen, triazoxide,
tricy-clazole, 2-butoxy-6-iodo-3-propylchromen-4-one,
5-chloro-1(4,6-dimethoxy-pyrimidin-2-yl)-2-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole,
5 chloro-7
(4-methylpiperidin-1-yl)-6-(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazo-
lo[1,5a]pyrimidine and 5-ethyl-6
octyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-7 ylamine.
[0139] Among group D) comprising heterocyclic compounds as
component (II), pyridines, pyrimidines, morpholines, piperidines,
dicarboximides and non-aromatic 5-membered heterocycles are
preferred. Within the group of pyridines, fluazinam is especially
preferred. Within the group of pyrimidines, cyprodinil, fenarimol
and pyrimethanil are especially preferred. Within the group of
morpholines, dodemorph-acetate, fenpropimorph and tridemorph are
especially preferred. Within the group of piperidines, fenpropidin
is especially preferred. Within the group of dicarboximides,
iprodione is especially preferred. Within the group of non-aromatic
5-membered heterocycles famoxadone and fenamidone are especially
preferred. In addition, samisulbrom, Folpet, proquinazid and
quinoxyfen are especially preferred. Cyprodinil, fenpropidin,
iprodione, famoxadone, fenamidone, amisulbrom, proquinazid,
quinoxyfen and Folpet are even more preferred. Fenpropimorph,
tridemorph and fenpropidin are most preferred.
[0140] In another embodiment of the method according to the
invention, component (I) is applied together with a component (II)
selected from group E) (carbamates) consisting of [0141] thio- and
dithiocarbamates selected from ferbam, mancozeb, maneb, metam,
methasulphocarb, metiram, propineb, thiram, zineb and ziram; [0142]
carbamates selected from benthiavalicarb, diethofencarb,
iprovalicarb, propamo-carb, propamocarb hydrochlorid, valiphenal
and N-(1-(1-(4-cyano-phenyl)ethanesulfonyl)-but-2-yl) carbamic
acid-(4-fluorophenyl) ester.
[0143] Among group E) comprising carbamates as component (II),
thio- and dithiocarbamates and carbamates are preferred. Within the
group of thio- and dithiocarbamates, mancozeb, maneb, metiram,
propineb, thiram, zineb and ziram are more preferred. Within the
group of carbamates, benthiavalicarb, iprovalicarb, valiphenal and
propamocarb and valiphenal are preferred. Mancozeb, metiram and
propineb are even more preferred.
[0144] In another embodiment of the method according to the
invention, component (I) is applied together with a component (II)
selected from the group F). Among the group F) comprising other
active substances as component (II), antibiotics, sulfur-containing
heterocyclyl compounds, inorganic active substances, cymoxanil,
metrafenone, spiroxamine fentin acetate, fentin chloride and fentin
hydroxide are preferred. Within the group of antibiotics,
kasugamycin, kasugamycin hydrochloride-hydrate and streptomycin are
especially preferred. Within the group of sulfur-containing
heterocyclyl compounds, dithianon is especially preferred. In
addition, cymoxanil, metrafenone, spiroxamine, fentin acetate,
fentin chloride, fentin hydroxide are preferred. Inorganic active
substances selected from Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper
hydroxide, copper oxychloride, basic copper sulfate and sulfur are
especially preferred.
[0145] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention,
component (I) is applied together with component (II) selected from
Bordeaux mixture, copper acetate, copper hydroxide, copper
oxychloride, basic copper sulfate and sulfur.
[0146] In another embodiment of the method according to the
invention, component (I) is applied together with a component (II)
selected from group G) (plant growth regulators; PGRs) consisting
of abscisic acid, amidochlor, ancymidol, 6-benzylaminopurine,
brassi-nolide, butralin, chlormequat (chlormequat chloride),
choline chloride, cyclanilide, daminozide, dikegulac, dimethipin,
2,6-dimethylpuridine, ethephon, flumetralin, flurprimidol,
fluthiacet, forchlorfenuron, gibberellic acid, inabenfide,
indole-3-acetic acid, maleic hydrazide, mefluidide, mepiquat
(mepiquat chloride), naph-thaleneacetic acid, N 6 benzyladenine,
paclobutrazol, prohexadione (prohexadione-calcium), prohydrojasmon,
thidiazuron, triapenthenol, tributyl phosphorotrithioate, 2,3,5 tri
iodobenzoic acid, trinexapac-ethyl and uniconazole. Among the group
G) comprising plant growth regulators (PGRs) as component (II),
chlormequat (chlormequat chloride), mepiquat (mepiquat chloride and
prohexadione (prohexadione-calcium) are preferred.
[0147] One indicator for the condition of the plant is its yield.
"Yield" is to be understood as any plant product of economic value
that is produced by the plant such as grains, fruits in the proper
sense, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, wood (e.g. in the case of
silviculture plants) or even flowers (e.g. in the case of gardening
plants, ornamentals). The plant products may in addition be further
utilized and/or processed after harvesting.
[0148] According to the present invention, "increased yield" of a
plant, in particular of an agricultural, silvicultural and/or
ornamental plant means that the yield of a product of the
respective plant is increased by a measurable amount over the yield
of the same product of the plant produced under the same
conditions, but without the application of the composition of the
invention. Increased yield can be characterized, among others, by
following improved properties of the plant: [0149] increased plant
weight, [0150] increased plant height, [0151] increased biomass
such as higher fresh and/or dry weight [0152] higher grain yield
[0153] more tillers [0154] larger leaves [0155] increased shoot
growth [0156] increased protein content [0157] increased oil
content [0158] increased starch content [0159] increased pigment
content
[0160] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
yield is increased by at least 5%. According to another embodiment
of the present invention, the yield is increased by least 10%.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the yield
is increased by least 15%. According to another embodiment of the
present invention, the yield is increased by least 30%. According
to another embodiment of the present invention, the yield is
increased by least 40%.
[0161] Another indicator for the condition of the plant is the
"plant vigor". The plant vigor becomes manifest in several aspects
such as the general visual appearance. Improved plant vigor can be
characterized, among others, by following improved properties of
the plant: [0162] improved vitality of the plant, [0163] improved
plant growth, [0164] improved plant development, [0165] improved
visual appearance, [0166] improved plant stand (less plant
verse/lodging), [0167] improved emergence, [0168] enhanced root
growth and/or more developed root system, [0169] enhanced
nodulation, in particular rhizobial nodulation, [0170] bigger leaf
blade, [0171] increased plant size, [0172] increased plant weight,
[0173] increased plant height, [0174] increased tiller number,
[0175] increased shoot growth, [0176] increased root growth
(extensive root system), [0177] increased size of root mass
(extensive root system), [0178] increased yield when grown on poor
soils or unfavorable climate, [0179] enhanced photosynthetic
activity [0180] change of color (e.g. enhanced pigment content
(e.g. Chlorophyll content) [0181] earlier flowering, [0182] earlier
fruiting, [0183] earlier and improved germination, [0184] earlier
(advanced) grain maturity, [0185] improved self-defense mechanisms
[0186] less non-productive tillers, [0187] less dead basal leaves,
[0188] less input needed (such as fertilizers or water) [0189]
greener leaves and increased green leaf area [0190] complete
maturation under shortened vegetation periods [0191] less
fertilizers needed, [0192] less seeds needed, [0193] easier
harvesting [0194] faster and more uniform ripening [0195] longer
shelf-life [0196] longer panicles, [0197] delay of senescence,
[0198] stronger and/or more productive tillers, [0199] better
extractability of ingredients [0200] improved quality of seeds (for
being seeded in the following seasons for seed production) [0201]
reduced production of ethylene and/or the inhibition of its
reception by the plant [0202] spindliness of leaves [0203]
increased number of ears/m.sup.2
[0204] The improvement of the plant vigor according to the present
invention particularly means that the improvement of any one or
several or all of the above mentioned plant characteristics are
improved independently of the pesticidal action of the composition
or active ingredients. An increased vigor may for example result in
a higher percentatage of plants that can be transplanted to the
field or an increased number of marketable plants (such as
tomatoes).
[0205] The term "plants" is to be understood as plants of economic
importance and/or men-grown plants such as cultivated plants. They
are preferably selected from agricultural, silvicultural and
horticultural (including ornamental) plants. The term "plant" as
used herein includes all parts of a plant such as germinating
seeds, emerging seedlings, herbaceous vegetation as well as
established woody plants including all belowground portions (such
as the roots) and aboveground portions.
[0206] Generally the term "plants" also includes plants which have
been modified by breeding, mutagenesis or genetic engineering.
Genetically modified plants are plants, which genetic material has
been modified by the use of recombinant DNA techniques. The use of
recombinant DNA techniques makes modifications possible that cannot
readily be obtained by cross breeding under natural circumstances,
mutations or natural recombination.
[0207] Agricultural plants which may exhibit an increase in vigor
and/or crop yield are, for example, cereals, for example wheat,
rye, barley, triticale, oats or rice; beet, for example sugar beet
or fodder beet; fruits, such as pomes, stone fruits or soft fruits,
for example apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds, cherries,
strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries; leguminous
plants, such as lentils, peas, alfalfa or soybeans; oil plants,
such as rape, mustard, olives, sunflowers, coconut, cocoa beans,
castor oil plants, oil palms, ground nuts or soybeans; cucurbits,
such as squashes, cucumber or melons; fiber plants, such as cotton,
flax, hemp or jute; citrus fruit, such as oranges, lemons,
grapefruits or mandarins; vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach,
lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes,
cucurbits or paprika; lauraceous plants, such as avocados, cinnamon
or camphor; energy and raw material plants, such as corn, soybean,
rape, sugar cane or oil palm; corn; tobacco; nuts; coffee; tea;
bananas; vines (table grapes and grape juice grape vines); hop;
turf; natural rubber plants or ornamental and forestry plants, such
as flowers, shrubs, broad-leaved trees or evergreens, for example
conifers; and on the plant propagation material, such as seeds, and
the crop material of these plants.
[0208] Agricultural plants which exhibit vigor and/or crop yield
increase are in particular bananas, broccoli, tomatoes, pepper and
wheat.
[0209] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the yield and/or
vigor is increased in an agricultural plant selected from soybean,
corn, wheat, triticale, barley, oat, rye, rape, millet, rice,
sunflower, cotton, sugar beet, pome fruit, stone fruit, citrus,
banana, strawberry, blueberry, almond, grape, mango, papaya,
peanut, potato, tomato, pepper, cucurbit, cucumber, melon,
watermelon, garlic, onion, broccoli, carrot, cabbage, bean, dry
bean, canola, pea, lentil, alfalfa, trefoil, clover, flax, elephant
grass, grass, lettuce, sugarcane, tea, tobacco and coffee; each in
its natural or genetically modified form
[0210] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the yield and/or
vigor is increased in grapes, fruits such as pomes, stone fruits or
soft fruits, for example apples, pears, plums, peaches, almonds,
cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or gooseberries
and/or vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, lettuce, asparagus,
cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, cucurbits or
paprika.
[0211] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the
yield and/or vigor is increased in bananas and/or grapes.
[0212] The term "plant propagation material" is to be understood to
denote all the generative parts of the 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.
This includes seeds, roots, fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes,
shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants. Seedlings and young
plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or after
emergence from soil, may also be mentioned. These young plants may
also be treated totally or partially by immersion or pouring before
transplantation.
[0213] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood as
including plants which have been modified by breeding, mutagenesis
or genetic engineering. Genetically modified plants are plants,
which genetic material has been so modified by the use of
recombinant DNA techniques that under natural circumstances cannot
readily be obtained by cross breeding, mutations or natural
recombination. Typically, one or more genes have been integrated
into the genetic material of a genetically modified plant in order
to improve certain properties of the plant.
[0214] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood also
including plants that have been rendered tolerant to applications
of specific classes of herbicides, such as hydroxy-phenylpyruvate
dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibitors; acetolactate synthase (ALS)
inhibitors, such as sulfonyl ureas (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No.
6,222,100, WO 01/82685, WO 00/26390, WO 97/41218, WO 98/02526, WO
98/02527, WO 04/106529, WO 05/20673, WO 03/14357, WO 03/13225, WO
03/14356, WO 04/16073) or imidazolinones (see e.g. U.S. Pat. No.
6,222,100, WO 01/82685, WO 00/26390, WO 97/41218, WO 98/02526, WO
98/02527, WO 04/106529, WO 05/20673, WO 03/14357, WO 03/13225, WO
03/14356, WO 04/16073); enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase
(EPSPS) inhibitors, such as glyphosate (see e.g. WO 92/00377);
glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitors, such as glufosinate (see e.g.
EP-A-0242236, EP-A-242246) or oxynil herbicides (see e.g. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,559,024) as a result of conventional methods of breeding or
genetic engineering. Several cultivated plants have been rendered
tolerant to herbicides by conventional methods of breeding
(mutagenesis), for example Clearfield.RTM. summer rape (Canola)
being tolerant to imidazolinones, e.g. imazamox. Genetic
engineering methods have been used to render cultivated plants,
such as soybean, cotton, corn, beets and rape, tolerant to
herbicides, such as glyphosate and glufosinate, some of which are
commercially available under the trade names RoundupReady.RTM.
(glyphosate) and LibertyLink.RTM. (glufosinate).
[0215] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood also
including plants that are by the use of recombinant DNA techniques
capable to synthesize one or more insecticidal proteins, especially
those known from the bacterial genus Bacillus, particularly from
Bacillus thuringiensis, such as .delta.-endotoxins, e.g. CryIA(b),
CryIA(c), CryIF, CryIF(a2), CryIIA(b), CryIIIA, CryIIIB(b1) or
Cry9c; vegetative insecticidal proteins (VIP), e.g. VIP1, VIP2,
VIP3 or VIP3A; insecticidal proteins of bacteria colonizing
nematodes, for example Photorhabdus spp. or Xenorhabdus spp.;
toxins produced by animals, such as scorpion toxins, arachnid
toxins, wasp toxins, or other insect-specific neurotoxins; toxins
produced by fungi, such Streptomycetes toxins, plant lectins, such
as pea or barley lectins; agglutinins; proteinase inhibitors, such
as trypsin inhibitors, serine protease inhibitors, patatin,
cystatin or papain inhibitors; ribosome-inactivating proteins
(RIP), such as ricin, maize-RIP, abrin, luffin, saporin or bryodin;
steroid metabolism enzymes, such as 3-hydroxysteroid oxidase,
ecdysteroid-IDP-glycosyl-transferase, cholesterol oxidases,
ecdysone inhibitors or HMG-CoA-reductase; ion channel blockers,
such as blockers of sodium or calcium channels; juvenile hormone
esterase; diuretic hormone receptors (helicokinin receptors);
stilben synthase, bibenzyl synthase, chitinases or glucanases. In
the context of the present invention these insecticidal proteins or
toxins are to be understood expressly also as pre-toxins, hybrid
proteins, trunsated or otherwise modified proteins. Hybrid proteins
are characterized by a new combination of protein domains, (see,
for example WO 02/015701). Further examples of such toxins or
genetically modified plants capable of synthesizing such toxins are
disclosed, for example, in EP-A374753, WO 93/007278, WO 95/34656,
EP-A 427529, EP-A451878, WO 03/018810 and WO 03/052073. The methods
for producing such genetically modified plants are generally known
to the person skilled in the art and are described, for example, in
the publications mentioned above. These insecticidal proteins
contained in the genetically modified plants impart to the plants
producing these proteins tolerance to harmful pests from all
taxonomic groups of athropods, especially to beetles (Coeloptera),
two-winged insects (Diptera), and moths (Lepidoptera) and to
nematodes (Nematoda).
[0216] Genetically modified plants capable to synthesize one or
more insecticidal proteins are, for example, described in the
publications mentioned above, and some of which are commercially
available such as YieldGard.RTM. (corn cultivars producing the
Cry1Ab toxin), YieldGard.RTM. Plus (corn cultivars producing Cry1Ab
and Cry3Bb1 toxins), Starlink.RTM. (corn cultivars producing the
Cry9c toxin), Herculex.RTM. RW (corn cultivars producing Cry34Ab1,
Cry35Ab1 and the enzyme Phosphinothricin-N-Acetyltransferase
[PAT]); NuCOTN.RTM. 33B (cotton cultivars producing the Cry1Ac
toxin), Bollgard.RTM. I (cotton cultivars producing the Cry1Ac
toxin), Bollgard.RTM. II (cotton cultivars producing Cry1Ac and
Cry2Ab2 toxins); VIPCOT.RTM. (cotton cultivars producing a
VIP-toxin); NewLeaf.RTM. (potato cultivars producing the Cry3A
toxin); Bt-Xtra.RTM., NatureGard.RTM., KnockOut.RTM.,
BiteGard.RTM., Protecta.RTM., Bt11 (e.g. Agrisure.RTM. CB) and
Bt176 from Syngenta Seeds SAS, France, (corn cultivars producing
the Cry1Ab toxin and PAT enzyme), MIR604 from Syngenta Seeds SAS,
France (corn cultivars producing a modified version of the Cry3A
toxin, c.f. WO 03/018810), MON 863 from Monsanto Europe S.A.,
Belgium (corn cultivars producing the Cry3Bb1 toxin), IPC531 from
Monsanto Europe S.A., Belgium (cotton cultivars producing a
modified version of the Cry1Ac toxin) and 1507 from Pioneer
Overseas Corporation, Belgium (corn cultivars producing the Cry1F
toxin and PAT enzyme).
[0217] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood also
including plants that are by the use of recombinant DNA techniques
capable to synthesize one or more proteins to increase the
resistance or tolerance of those plants to bacterial, viral or
fungal pathogens. Examples of such proteins are the so-called
"pathogenesis-related proteins" (PR proteins, see, for example EP-A
0392225), plant disease resistance genes (for example potato
cultivars, which express resistance genes acting against
Phytophthora infestans derived from the mexican wild potato Solanum
bulbocastanum) or T4-lysozym (e.g. potato cultivars capable of
synthesizing these proteins with increased resistance against
bacteria such as Erwinia amylvora). The methods for producing such
genetically modified plants are generally known to the person
skilled in the art and are described, for example, in the
publications mentioned above.
[0218] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood also
including plants that are by the use of recombinant DNA techniques
capable to synthesize one or more proteins to increase the
productivity (e.g. biomass production, grain yield, starch content,
oil content or protein content), tolerance to drought, salinity or
other growth-limiting environmental factors or tolerance to pests
and fungal, bacterial or viral pathogens of those plants.
[0219] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood also
including plants that contain by the use of recombinant DNA
techniques a modified amount of substances of content or new
substances of content, specifically to improve human or animal
nutrition, for example oil crops that produce health-promoting
long-chain omega-3 fatty acids or un-saturated omega-9 fatty acids
(e.g. Nexera.RTM. rape).
[0220] The term "cultivated plants" is to be understood also
including plants that contain by the use of recombinant DNA
techniques a modified amount of substances of content or new
substances of content, specifically to improve raw material
production, for example potatoes that produce increased amounts of
amylopectin (e.g. Amflora.RTM. potato).
[0221] The term "protein" as used herein is to be understood as an
oligopeptide or polypeptide or molecule made up of polypeptides
including expressly also pre-proteins, hybrid proteins, peptides,
truncated or otherwise modified proteins including those derived
from post-transcriptional modifications such as acylation (e.g.
acetylation, the addition of an acetyl group, usually at the
N-terminus of the protein), alkylation, the addition of an alkyl
group (e.g. addition of ethyl or methyl, usually at lysine or
arginine residues) or demethylation, amidation at C-terminus,
biotinylation (acylation of conserved lysine residues with a biotin
appendage), formylation, .gamma.-carboxylation dependent on Vitamin
K, glutamylation (covalent linkage of glutamic acid residues),
glycosylation (addition of a glycosyl group to either asparagine,
hydroxylysine, serine, or threonine, resulting in a glycoprotein),
glycation (nonenzymatic attachment of sugars), glycylation
(covalent linkage of one to more glycine residues), covalent
attachment of a heme moiety, hydroxylation, iodination,
isoprenylation (addition of an isoprenoid group such as farnesol
and geranylgeraniol), lipoylation (attachment of a lipoate
functionality) including prenylation, GPI anchor formation (e.g.
myristoylation, farnesylation and geranylgeranylation), covalent
attachment of nucleotides or derivatives thereof including
ADP-ribosylation and flavin attachment, oxidation, pegylation,
covalent attachment of phosphatidyl-inositol,
phosphopantetheinylation (addition of a 4'-phosphopantetheinyl
moiety from coenzyme A), phosphorylation (addition of a phosphate
group, usually to serine, tyrosine, threonine or histidine),
pyroglutamate formation, racemization of proline, tRNA-mediated
addition of amino acids such as arginylation, sulfation (addition
of a sulfate group to a tyrosine), selenoylation (co-translational
incorporation of selenium in selenoproteins), ISGylation (covalent
linkage to the ISG15 protein [Interferon-stimulated Gene 15]),
SUMOylation (covalent linkage to the SUMO protein [Small
Ubiquitin-related MOdifier]), ubiquitination (covalent linkage to
the protein ubiquitin or poly-ubiquitin), citrullination or
deimination (conversion of arginine to citrulline), deamidation
(conversion of glutamine to glutamic acid or asparagine to aspartic
acid), formation of disulfide bridges (covalent linkage of two
cysteine amino acids) or proteolytic cleavage (cleavage of a
protein at a peptide bond).
[0222] The term "locus" is to be understood as any type of
environment, soil, area or material where the plant is growing or
intended to grow as well as the environmental conditions (such as
temperature, water availability, radiation) that have an influence
on the growth and development of the plant and/or its propagules.
In addition, the term "locus" is to be understood as a plant, seed,
soil, area, material or environment in which a pest is growing or
may grow.
[0223] "Crop yield" is an indicator for the condition of the plant,
whereas "crop" is to be understood as any plant or plant product
which is further utilized after harvesting, e.g. fruits in the
proper sense, vegetables, nuts, grains, seeds, wood (e.g. in the
case of silviculture plants), flowers (e.g. in the case of
gardening plants, ornamentals) etc., that is anything of economic
value that is produced by the plant.
[0224] According to the present invention, "increased yield" of a
plant, in particular of an agricultural, silvicultural and/or
ornamental plant means that the yield of a product of the
respective plant is increased by a measurable amount over the yield
of the same product of the plant produced under the same
conditions, but without the application of the composition of the
invention.
[0225] The term "seed" embraces seeds and plant propagules of all
kinds including but not limited to true seeds, seed pieces,
suckers, corms, bulbs, fruit, tubers, grains, cuttings, cut shoots
and the like and means in a preferred embodiment true seeds.
[0226] The term "seed treatment" comprises all suitable seed
treatment techniques known in the art, such as seed dressing, seed
coating, seed dusting, seed soaking, seed impregnation and seed
pelleting.
[0227] The term "plant propagation material" or "plant propagation
product" is to be understood to denote all the generative parts of
the 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. This includes seeds, grains, roots,
fruits, tubers, bulbs, rhizomes, cuttings, spores, offshoots,
shoots, sprouts and other parts of plants, including seedlings and
young plants, which are to be transplanted after germination or
after emergence from soil, meristem tissues, single and multiple
plant cells and any other plant tissue from which a complete plant
can be obtained.
[0228] The term "coated with" and/or "containing" generally
signifies that the active ingredient is for the most part on the
surface of the propagation product at the time of application,
although a greater or lesser part of the ingredient may penetrate
into the propagation product, depending on the method of
application. When the said propagation product is (re)planted, it
may absorb the active ingredient.
[0229] A "simultaneous" application is to be understood as the
joint or separate application of components (I) and (II).
[0230] Component (I) may be formulated with a particulate carrier
substance. Said carrier may be substantially composed of
water-soluble or water-insoluble material or mixtures thereof. The
Bacillus subtilis cells may be embedded into the carrier material
and/or may be adsorbed to the surface of the carrier material.
[0231] The carrier substance, which may added as coformulant prior
to the drying to a suspension of usually freshly grown of the
Bacillus subtilis cells, may be selected from mono-, oligo- and
polysaccharides, polyols, polyethers, polymers, such as CMC or PVP,
oligo- and polypeptides, from natural sources, such as milk, meat
or cereals, derived substances or mixed substances, such as sweet
whey powder, wheat semolina bran, peptone, alginates, mineral
compounds, or mixtures of such materials. Said material may be
dissolved in said suspension of Bacillus subtilis cells, which
mixture may then be dried in order to obtain particulate
material.
[0232] In another embodiment, said carrier may comprise a water
insoluble, water-absorbent carrier substance, which may be is
selected from any organic or inorganic material capable of removing
moisture gently from the suspension of viable Bacillus subtilis,
and in particular from the group consisting of zeolite, porous
beads or powders, silica, ground agricultural products (as for
example corn cobs), porous wood products, cellulose, cyclodextrins,
and combinations thereof. The carrier may be admixed with a
suspension of usually freshly grown of Bacillus subtilis cells in
order to form particulate material, which optionally my be further
subjected to drying.
[0233] In addition, additives having a stabilizing action on the
Bacillus subtilis can be added to the mixture, preferably prior to
the preparation of the particulate formulation, as for example
antioxidants, such as alpha-tocopherol or ascorbic acid, or
mixtures thereof. Furthermore, a stabilizing action can be exerted
by other substances, which are selected from inorganic salts, such
as alkali metal chlorides or alkaline earth metal chlorides,
inorganic or organic buffers, such as alkali metal phosphate
buffer, amino acids, such as aspartic acid or glutamic acid and the
salts thereof, organic carboxylic acids, such as citric acid,
organic nonvolatile solvents, such as dimethylsulfoxide, and other
compounds, such as .beta.-carotene and mixtures of these.
[0234] In a specific embodiment the particulate formulation
comprises said carrier substance, as for example said water
insoluble, water-absorbent carrier substance, wherein said carrier
substance is present in an amount of at least about 40%, as for
example at least 50, 60, 70, 80, 85, 90, 95, 96, 97, 98 or 99% by
the total weight of the formulation and the Bacillus subtilis mixed
with said carrier.
[0235] According to a further embodiment said particulate
formulation is coated in a manner known per se with a suitable
compatible coating or encapsulating material.
[0236] Suitable encapsulating materials include, without
limitation, native or modified chitosans, native of modified
starches, glucans or dextrins, celluloses modified so they are
soluble, and any of a number of native or modified vegetable or
microbial gums, including agars, guar, locust, carrageenan,
xanthans, pectins, and the like, and combinations thereof.
[0237] Further suitable coating materials are polymers such as, for
example, PVP, in particular a PVP product, which is commercially
available under the trade name Kollidon VA64. Another usable
coating system comprises a mixture of shellac and Kollidon 25 or
30, which may be supplemented with titanium dioxide and tallow.
[0238] According to the invention, components (I) and (II) are
usually employed in a weight ratio of from 1000:1 to 1:1000, as for
example 200:1 to 1:200, 100:1 to 1:100, as for example 90:1 to
1:90, 80:1 to 1:80, 75:1 to 1:75, 50:1 to 1:50, 25:1 to 1:25 or
10:1 to 1:10.
[0239] It is preferred to employ the commercially available
formulations of components (I) and (II), to which further compounds
active against harmful fungi or other pests, such as insects,
arachnids or nematodes, or else herbicidal or growth-regulating
active compounds (e.g. PGRs), fertilizers or sun protectants like
iron oxide may be added. In a preferred embodiment, the composition
comprises component (I), at least one component (II) and iron
oxide.
[0240] The further active components (II) are, if desired, added in
a ratio of from 20:1 to 1:20 to component (I).
[0241] Usually, compositions comprising component (I) and (II),
wherein component (II) consists of only one chemical compound, are
employed. However, in certain cases compositions wherein component
(II) consists of two or, if appropriate, more chemical compounds
may be advantageous as well.
[0242] According to the terms of the present invention, "effective
amount" is to be understood to denote all application rates for
component (I) and optionally component (II) as well as all
application rates with regard to any type of mixture or composition
comprising component (I) and at least one component (II), which
result in an increased vigor and/or crop yield of agricultural
plants under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure. The
optimal "effective amount" depends on various parameters such as
the time of application, growth stage, area of application,
application form, treated plant, soil, weather conditions etc. and
must be determined by the person skilled in the art within the
ranges given.
[0243] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention,
mixtures comprising component (I) and at least one component (II)
are applied in an effective amount, whereas "effective amount" is
to be understood as an amount suitable for increasing the vigor
and/or crop yield of agricultural plants under essentially
non-existent pathogen pressure in a synergistic manner.
[0244] Depending on the particular components and the plants to be
treated, the application rates for component (I) in liquid
formulations are generally from 0.01 l to 100 l of a composition
containing the Bacillus subtilis strain or a mutant having all the
identifying characteristics of such strain, a cell-free extract of
the strain or its mutants, or isolated metabolite(s) of the strain
or its mutant per hectare, preferably from 0.02 l to 50 l/ha, in
particular from 0.05 to 18 l/ha. Application rates for component
(I) in dry formulations are generally from 0.01 lbs/acre to 100
lbs/acre, preferably from 0.02 lbs to 50 lbs per acre and in
particular from 0.05 lbs to 5 lbs/acre. In cases in which component
(I) is derived from a whole broth of the Bacillus subtilis strain
or its mutants the number of colony forming units (CFU) applied is
important and is generally from 1.times.1010 through 1.times.1015
per acre, preferably from 1.times.1011 through 1.times.1014 per
acre or, in particular from 1.times.1012 through 1.times.1013 per
acre.
[0245] Correspondingly, the application rates for component (II)
are generally from 1 to 2000 g/ha, 5 to 100 g/ha, preferably from
10 to 500 g/ha, in particular from 40 to 250 g/ha of active
ingredient each.
[0246] Correspondingly, the application rates for component (II)
are generally from 1 to 2000 g/ha, preferably from 10 to 1500 g/ha,
in particular from 40 to 1000 g/ha.
[0247] In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the
invention, seed is treated.
[0248] The method according to the present invention is carried out
by the application of a component (I) and optionally a component
(II), or a composition comprising components (I) and optionally a
component (II), by spraying or dusting the seeds, the plants or the
soils before or after sowing of the plants or before or after
emergence of the plants.
[0249] In a preferred method according to the present invention the
application is carried out as in-furrow and/or foliar treatment.
Most preferrably, the application is carried out as foliar
treatment.
[0250] If an agricultural mixture according to the present
invention is used in this inventive method, the plants, the plant
propagules, the seed of the plants and/or the locus where the
plants are growing or are intended to grow are preferably treated
simultaneously (together or separately) or subsequently with a
component (I) and at least one component (II) selected from the
active compound groups (A) to (J).
[0251] The subsequent application is carried out with a time
interval which allows a combined action of the applied compounds.
Preferably, the time interval for a subsequent application of
component (I) and at least one component (II), ranges from a few
seconds up to 3 months, preferably, from a few seconds up to 1
month, more preferably from a few seconds up to 2 weeks, even more
preferably from a few seconds up to 3 days and in particular from 1
second up to 24 hours.
[0252] In a preferred embodiment, component (II) is applied before
the Pre-harvest interval while component (I) is applied during the
Pre-harvest interval.
[0253] Herein, we have found that simultaneous, that is joint or
separate, application of component (I), or mixtures comprising
component (I) and at least one compound selected from the active
compound groups (A) to (J) or the successive application of
mixtures comprising component (I), or mixtures comprising component
(I) and at least one compound selected from the active compound
groups (A) to (J) allows increasing the vigor and/or crop yield of
agricultural plants under essentially non-existent pathogen
pressure compared to the control rates that are possible with the
individual compounds (synergistic mixtures).
[0254] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, component
(I) or an agrochemical mixture comprising component (I) and at
least one compound selected from the active compound groups (A) to
(J) is repeatedly applied. In one embodiment, the application is
repeated two to ten times, preferably, two to five times; most
preferably three times.
[0255] The compositions according to the invention, or the single
components separately, can be converted into customary
formulations, for example solutions, emulsions, suspensions, dusts,
powders, pastes and granules. The use form depends on the
particular intended purpose; in each case, it should ensure a fine
and even distribution of the mixture according to the
invention.
[0256] The formulations are prepared in a known manner, for example
by extending the single components with solvents and/or carriers,
if desired using emulsifiers and dispersants. Solvents/auxiliaries
suitable for this purpose are essentially: [0257] water, aromatic
solvents (for example Solvesso.RTM. products, xylene), paraffins
(for example mineral oil fractions), alcohols (for example
methanol, butanol, pentanol, benzyl alcohol), ketones (for example
cyclohexanone, gamma-butyrolactone), pyrrolidones
(N-methylpyrrolidone, N-octylpyrrolidone), acetates (glycol
diacetate), glycols, fatty acid dimethylamides, fatty acids and
fatty acid esters. In principle, solvent mixtures may also be used.
[0258] carriers such as ground natural minerals (for example
kaolins, clays, talc, chalk) and ground synthetic minerals (for
example highly disperse silica, silicates); emulsifiers such as
nonionogenic and anionic emulsifiers (for example polyoxyethylene
fatty alcohol ethers, alkylsulfonates and arylsulfonates) and
dispersants such as lignosulfite waste liquors and
methylcellulose.
[0259] Suitable surfactants used are alkali metal, alkaline earth
metal and ammonium salts of lignosulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic
acid, phenolsulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalene-sulfonic acid,
alkylarylsulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkylsulfonates, fatty alcohol
sulfates, fatty acids and sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers,
furthermore condensates of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene
derivatives with formaldehyde, condensates of naphthalene or of
naphthalenesulfonic acid with phenol and formaldehyde,
polyoxy-ethylene octylphenyl ether, ethoxylated isooctylphenol,
octylphenol, nonylphenol, alkyl-phenyl polyglycol ethers,
tributylphenyl polyglycol ether, tristearylphenyl polyglycol ether,
alkylaryl polyether alcohols, alcohol and fatty alcohol ethylene
oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl
ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol
ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignosulfite waste liquors and
methylcellulose.
[0260] Substances which are suitable for the preparation of
directly sprayable solutions, emulsions, pastes or oil dispersions
are mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as
kerosene or diesel oil, furthermore coal tar oils and oils of
vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic
hydrocarbons, for example toluene, xylene, paraffin,
tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes or their derivatives,
methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone,
isophorone, highly polar solvents, for example dimethyl sulfoxide,
N-methylpyrrolidone and water.
[0261] Powders, materials for spreading and dustable products can
be prepared by mixing or concomitantly grinding the active
substances with a solid carrier.
[0262] Granules, for example coated granules, impregnated granules
and homogeneous granules, can be prepared by binding the active
compounds to solid carriers. Examples of solid carriers are mineral
earths such as silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attaclay,
limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous
earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground
synthetic materials, fertilizers, such as, for example, ammonium
sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, ureas, and products
of vegetable origin, such as cereal meal, tree bark meal, wood meal
and nut-shell meal, cellulose powders and other solid carriers.
[0263] In order to achieve good dispersion and adhesion of
compositions within the present invention, it may be advantageous
to formulate the whole broth culture, supernatant and/or metabolite
with components that aid dispersion and adhesion.
[0264] In general, the formulations comprise from 0.01 to 95% by
weight, preferably from 0.1 to 90% by weight, of the
components.
[0265] The chemical component (II) is employed in a purity of from
90% to 100%, preferably 95% to 100% (according to NMR
spectrum).
[0266] The following are examples of formulations:
1. Products for Dilution with Water
A) Water-Soluble Concentrates (SL)
[0267] 10 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of water or in a
water-soluble solvent. As an alternative, wetting agents or other
auxiliaries are added. Dilution with water results in a formulation
having a content of 10% by weight of components (I) and (II) is
obtained.
B) Dispersible Concentrates (DC)
[0268] 20 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are dissolved in 70 parts by weight of cyclohexanone with
addition of 10 parts by weight of a dispersant, for example
polyvinylpyrrolidone. Dilution with water gives a dispersion having
a content of 0% by weight of components (I) and (II).
C) Emulsifiable Concentrates (EC)
[0269] 15 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are dissolved in 75 parts by weight of xylene with
addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil
ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). Dilution with water
gives an emulsion. The formulation has a content of 15% by weight
of components (I) and (II).
D) Emulsions (EW, EO)
[0270] 25 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are dissolved in 35 parts by weight of xylene with
addition of calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and castor oil
ethoxylate (in each case 5 parts by weight). This composition is
introduced into 30 parts by weight of water by means of an
emulsifying machine (Ultraturrax) and made into a homogeneous
emulsion. Dilution with water gives an emulsion. The formulation
has a content of 25% by weight of components (I) and (II).
E) Suspensions (SC, OD)
[0271] In an agitated ball mill, 20 parts by weight of a
composition according to the invention are comminuted with addition
of 10 parts by weight of dispersants and wetting agents and 70
parts by weight of water or an organic solvent to give a fine
suspension. Dilution with water gives a stable suspension having a
content of 20% by weight of components (I) and (II).
F) Water-Dispersible Granules and Water-Soluble Granules (WG,
SG)
[0272] 50 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are ground finely with addition of 50 parts by weight of
dispersants and wetting agents and prepared as water-dispersible or
water-soluble granules by means of technical appliances (for
example extrusion, spray tower, fluidized bed). Dilution with water
gives a stable dispersion or solution having a content of 50% by
weight of components (I) and (II).
G) Water-Dispersible Powders and Water-Soluble Powders (WP, SP)
[0273] 75 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are ground in a rotor-stator mill with addition of 25
parts by weight of dispersants, wetting agents and silica gel.
Dilution with water gives a stable dispersion or solution having a
content of 75% by weight of components (I) and (II).
2. Products to be Applied Undiluted
H) Dustable Powders (DP)
[0274] 5 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are ground finely and mixed intimately with 95 parts by
weight of finely divided kaolin. This gives a dustable product
having a content of 5% by weight of components (I) and (II).
J) Granules (GR, FG, GG, MG)
[0275] 0.5 part by weight of a composition according to the
invention is ground finely and associated with 99.5 parts by weight
of carriers. Current methods are extrusion, spray-drying or the
fluidized bed. This gives granules to be applied undiluted having a
content of 0.5% of weight of components (I) and (II).
K) ULV Solutions (UL)
[0276] 10 parts by weight of a composition according to the
invention are dissolved in 90 parts by weight of an organic
solvent, for example xylene. This gives a product to be applied
undiluted having a compound content of 10% by weight of components
(I) and (II).
[0277] Components (I) and (II) can be used as such, in the form of
their formulations or the use forms prepared therefrom, for example
in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions
or dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dustable
products, materials for spreading, or granules, by means of
spraying, atomizing, dusting, spreading or pouring. The use forms
depend entirely on the intended purposes; they are intended to
ensure in each case the finest possible distribution of components
(I) and (II) according to the invention.
[0278] Aqueous use forms can be prepared from emulsion
concentrates, pastes or wettable powders (sprayable powders, oil
dispersions) by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes or oil
dispersions, the substances, as such or dissolved in an oil or
solvent, can be homogenized in water by means of a wetting agent,
tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier. However, it is also possible
to prepare concentrates composed of active substance, wetting
agent, tackifier, dispersant or emulsifier and, if appropriate,
solvent or oil, and such concentrates are suitable for dilution
with water.
[0279] The concentrations of the components in the ready-to-use
preparations can be varied within relatively wide ranges. In
general, they are from 0.0001 to 100%, preferably from 0.01 to
100%.
[0280] Components (I) and (II) may also be used successfully in the
ultra-low-volume process (ULV), it being possible to apply
formulations comprising over 95% by weight of active compound, or
even to apply components (I) and (II) without additives.
[0281] Oils of various types, sun protectants, wetting agents or
adjuvants may be added to the component (I) or (II), even, if
appropriate, not until immediately prior to use (tank mix). These
agents are typically admixed with component a) or b) according to
the invention in a weight ratio of from 1:100 to 100:1, preferably
from 1:10 to 10:1.
[0282] In one embodiment, component (I) is applied together with a
sun protectant. Suitable sun protectants are, for example iron
oxide or organic UV photoprotective filters.
[0283] Organic UV photoprotective filters are understood as meaning
organic substances which are able to absorb ultraviolet rays and
give off the absorbed energy again in the form of longer-wave
radiation, e.g. heat. The term "Organic UV photoprotective filter"
relates to one type or a mixture of different types of said
compounds. The organic substances may be oil-soluble or
water-soluble or they may be bound to a polymer. The
photoprotective filters may be UV-A and/or UV-B filters, preferably
UV-B filters.
[0284] UV-B filters which may be used are, for example, the
following substances: [0285] 3-benzylidenecamphor and derivatives
thereof, e.g. 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor; [0286] 4-aminobenzoic
acid derivatives, preferably 2-ethylhexyl
4-(dimethylamino)benzoate, 2-octyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate and
amyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate; [0287] esters of cinnamic acid,
preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate, propyl
4-methoxycinnamate, isoamyl 4-methoxycinnamate, isopentyl
4-methoxycinnamate, 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3-phenylcinnamate
(otocrylene); [0288] esters of salicylic acid, preferably
2-ethylhexyl salicylate, 4-isopropylbenzyl salicylate, homomethyl
salicylate; [0289] derivatives of benzophenone, preferably
2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,
2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4'-methylbenzophenone,
2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone; [0290] esters of
benzalmalonic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxybenzmalonate;
[0291] triazine derivatives, such as
2,4,6-trianilino(p-carbo-2'-ethyl-1'-hexyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine
(octyltriazone) and dioctylbutamidotriazone (Uvasorb.RTM. HEB).
[0292] Propane-1,3-diones, such as, for example,
1-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(4'-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione.
[0293] 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and alkali metal,
alkaline earth metal, ammonium, alkylammonium, alkanolammonium and
glucammonium salts thereof; [0294] sulfonic acid derivatives of
benzophenones, preferably
2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid and its salts;
[0295] sulfonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidenecamphor, such as,
for example, 4-(2-oxo-3-bornylidenemethyl)benzenesulfonic acid and
2-methyl-5-(2-oxo-3-bornylidene)sulfonic acid and salts
thereof.
[0296] Preferred UV-B filters are derivatives of benzophenone.
[0297] Suitable UV-A filters are: [0298] derivatives of
benzoylmethane, for example
1-(4'-tert-butylphenyl)-3-(4'-methoxy-phenyl)propane-1,3-dione,
4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane or
1-phenyl-3-(4'-isopropylphenyl)propane-1,3-dione; [0299]
Aminohydroxy-substituted derivatives of benzophenones, for example
N,N-diethylaminohydroxybenzoyl-n-hexylbenzoate.
[0300] Suitable adjuvants in this sense are in particular:
organically modified polysiloxanes, for example Break Thru S
240.RTM.; alcohol alkoxylates, for example Atplus 245.RTM., Atplus
MBA 1303.RTM., Plurafac LF 300.RTM. and Lutensol ON 30.RTM.; EO/PO
block polymers, for example Pluronic RPE 2035.RTM. and Genapol
B.RTM.; alcohol ethoxylates, for example Lutensol XP 80.RTM.; and
sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, for example Leophen RA.RTM..
[0301] For seed treatment purposes, respective formulations can in
certain cases be diluted 2-10 fold leading to concentrations in the
ready to use preparations of 0.01 to 60% by weight active compound
by weight, preferably 0.1 to 40% by weight.
[0302] Conventional seed treatment formulations include for example
flowable concentrates FS, solutions LS, powders for dry treatment
DS, water dispersible powders for slurry treatment WS,
water-soluble powders SS and emulsion ES and EC and gel formulation
GF. These formulations can be applied to the seed diluted or
undiluted. Application to the seeds is carried out before sowing,
either directly on the seeds.
[0303] In one embodiment a FS formulation is used for seed
treatment. Typically, a FS formulation may comprise 1-800 g/l of
active ingredient, 1-200 g/l surfactant, 0 to 200 g/l anti-freezing
agent, 0 to 400 g/l of binder, 0 to 200 g/l of a pigment and up to
1 liter of a solvent, preferably water.
[0304] In accordance with one variant of the present invention, a
further subject of the invention is a method of treating soil by
the application, in particular into the seed drill: either of a
granular formulation containing the plant health composition of the
invention--in combination or as a composition/formulation, or of a
mixture of two granular formulations, each containing one of the
two active ingredients, with optionally one or more solid or
liquid, agriculturally acceptable carriers and/or optionally with
one or more agriculturally acceptable surfactants. This method is
advantageously employed in seed-beds of cereal, maize, cotton and
sunflower. The rates for each active ingredient may be in the range
of 10 to 1000 g/ha, as for example 50 to 500 g/ha or 50 to 200
g/ha.
[0305] The seed treatment application is carried out by spraying or
dusting the seeds before sowing of the plants and before emergence
of the plants.
[0306] In the treatment of seeds the corresponding formulations are
applied by treating the seeds with an effective amount of component
(I) and optionally at least one component (II). Herein, the
application rates of the composition of the invention are generally
from 0.1 g to 10 kg per 100 kg of seed, preferably from 1 g to 5 kg
per 100 kg of seed, in particular from 1 g to 2.5 kg per 100 kg of
seed. For specific crops such as lettuce the rate can be higher. In
seed treatment applications in which component (I) is derived from
a whole broth of the Bacillus subtilis strain or its mutants the
number of colony forming units (CFU) applied is important and is
generally from 1.times.10.sup.8 through 1.times.10.sup.12 per acre,
preferably from 1.times.10.sup.9 through 1.times.10.sup.13 per acre
or, in particular from 1.times.10.sup.10 through 1.times.10.sup.12
per acre.
[0307] The following examples shall illustrate the invention
without limiting it. All plants in the experiments listed below,
could grow under essentially non-existent pathogen pressure.
EXAMPLE 1
Tomato
[0308] Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was used to treat tomato seeds via
a quasi-soil drench in the greenhouse. Specifically, tomato seeds
were planted in steam-sterilized trays containing sterile media and
grown in the greenhouse using standard techniques.
Serenade.RTM.ASO, which is a liquid formulation of Bacillus
subtilis QST 713 containing 1.times.10.sup.9 CFU (Colony Forming
Units)/g was applied to media at rates of 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz per
acre once, at the time of planting. The Serenade.RTM. ASO product
was applied as a spray application and not as a true drench, as the
spray application did not provide enough water to cause
germination. Other seeds not treated with the Serenade.RTM. ASO
product were used as negative controls.
[0309] At the time of transplanting to the field, plants grown in
media treated with Serenade.RTM. ASO showed a higher vigor than
those in the untreated control group based on grower observations
of plant height, size of root mass as well as color and spindliness
of leaves. In addition, a higher percentage of plants treated with
the Serenade.RTM. ASO product were able to be used in the field
than those in the untreated control group (table 1a).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1a Plants that were able to Treatment be used
in the field (%) Control 80.3 Serenade .RTM. ASO 4 oz 83.0 Serenade
.RTM. ASO 8 oz 88.3 Serenade .RTM. ASO 16 oz 87.7
[0310] As can be seen in table 1a, Serenade ASO has a positive
effect on plant health by increasing the plant's vigor resulting in
an increased number of plants that could be used for planting in
the field.
[0311] Useable transplants treated with Serenade ASO and controls
were subsequently planted in the field and grown under the same
standard conditions (with all receiving the same watering,
pesticide applications, and the like) until harvest. Due to the
pesticide application, the plants could grow under essentially
non-existent pathogen pressure. At harvest, plants treated with
Serenade ASO at the time of planting in the greenhouse yielded more
total weight of tomatoes and more marketable tomatoes than the
untreated control (table 1b).
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1b Yield Marketable (Total weight of tomatoes
in 12 tomatoes Treatment plots, each containing 2 plants) (%)
Control 359 46 Serenade .RTM. ASO 4 oz/ac 366 78 Serenade .RTM. ASO
8 oz/ac 397 71 Serenade .RTM. ASO 16 oz/ac 368 77
[0312] As can be seen in table 1b, Serenade.RTM. ASO has also a
positive effect on plant health by increasing the plant's yield
(total weight of tomatoes). In addition, the treatment with
Serenade.RTM. ASO results in increased vigor of the plants and
consequently in more marketable tomatoes compared to the untreated
control plants.
EXAMPLE 2
Pepper
[0313] Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was used to treat pepper seeds via
a quasi-soil drench in the greenhouse. Specifically, pepper seeds
were planted in steam-sterilized trays containing sterile media and
grown in the greenhouse using standard techniques. Serenade.RTM.
ASO, which is a liquid formulation of Bacillus subtilis QST 713
containing 1.times.109 CFU/g, was applied to media at rates of 4
oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz per acre once, at the time of planting. The
Serenade.RTM. ASO product was applied as a spray application and
not as a true drench, as the spray application did not provide
enough water to cause germination. Other seeds not treated with the
Serenade.RTM. ASO product were used as negative controls.
[0314] At the time of transplanting to the field, plants grown in
media treated with Serenade.RTM.ASO showed a higher vigor than
those in the untreated control group based on grower observations
of plant height, size of root mass as well as color and spindliness
of leaves. In addition, a higher percentage of plants treated with
the Serenade.RTM. ASO product were able to be used in the field
compared to those in the untreated control group (table 2).
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Vigor Plants that were able (0 = no vigor;
to be used in the field Treatment 10 = optimal vigor) (%) Control
3.7 95.3 Serenade .RTM. ASO 4 oz/ac 4.0 96.0 Serenade .RTM. ASO 8
oz/ac 5.3 97.0 Serenade .RTM. ASO 16 oz/ac 6.7 97.0
[0315] As can be seen in table 2, Serenade.RTM. ASO has a positive
effect on plant health by increasing the plant's vigor. In
addition, the treatment with Serenade.RTM. ASO results in more
plants that were able to be used in the field compared to the
untreated control plants which in turn will result in an increased
overall yield.
EXAMPLE 3
Broccoli
[0316] Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was used to treat broccoli seeds
via a quasi-soil drench in the greenhouse. Specifically, broccoli
seeds were planted in steam-sterilized trays containing sterile
vermiculite and grown in the greenhouse using standard techniques.
Serenade.RTM. ASO, which is a liquid formulation of Bacillus
subtilis QST 713 containing 1.times.10.sup.9 CFU/g, was applied to
media at rates of 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz per acre once, at the time
of planting. The Serenade.RTM. ASO product was applied as a spray
application and not as a true drench, as the spray application did
not provide enough water to cause germination. Other seeds not
treated with the Serenade.RTM. ASO product were used as negative
controls.
[0317] At the time of transplanting to the field, plants grown in
media treated with Serenade.RTM. ASO showed a higher vigor than
those in the untreated control group based on grower observations
of plant height, size of root mass, as well as color and
spindliness of leaves. In addition, a higher percentage of plants
treated with the Serenade.RTM. ASO product were able to be used in
the field compared to those in the untreated control group (table
3).
[0318] As can be seen in table 3, Serenade.RTM. ASO has a positive
effect on plant health by increasing the plant's vigor. In
addition, the treatment with Serenade.RTM. ASO results in more
plants that were able to be used in the field compared to the
untreated control plants which in turn will result in an increased
overall yield.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Vigor Plants that were able (0 = no vigor;
to be used in the field Treatment 10 = optimal vigor) (%) Control
4.7 91.7 Serenade .RTM. ASO 4 oz/ac 6.0 92.0 Serenade .RTM. ASO 8
oz/ac 7.3 93.0 Serenade .RTM. ASO 16 oz/ac 5.3 93.0
EXAMPLE 4
Wheat
[0319] Wheat seed was treated with Bacillus subtilis QST 713 by
applying to the seeds a slurry of the Serenade.RTM. ASO product at
a rate of 4 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz or 16 oz per 100 lb seed. The slurry
was prepared by mixing Serenade.RTM. ASO with water. Seeds remained
in the slurry for various periods of time, ranging from overnight
to two weeks. Fields were seeded at a rate of 80-1001b per acre.
Seeds were applied to fields in which disease pressure was
essentially non-existent. Consequently, growers would typically not
engage in seed treatment for disease control.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 4 Yield Treatment (bushels/acre) Control 49.9
Difenoconazole + mefenoxam 65.7 Serenade .RTM. ASO 4 oz +
difenoconazole + 79.5 mefenoxam Serenade .RTM. ASO 4 oz/100 lb seed
100.4 Serenade .RTM. ASO 8 oz/100 lb seed 90.8 Serenade .RTM. ASO
12 oz/100 lb seed 49.3 Serenade .RTM. ASO 16 oz/100 lb seed
34.6
[0320] As can be seen in table 4, Serenade.RTM. ASO has a very
positive effect on plant health by increasing the yield when
applied below 10 oz/1001b seed. When applied at higher amounts with
this particular formulation, the yield may remain unaffected or may
even decline. However, it is unknown whether this decline is due to
a formulation inert in this particular formulation or due to the
rate of active ingredient. One of ordinary skill in the art would
be able to determine the optimal rate of application of component
(I) with routine experimentation.
EXAMPLE 5
Wheat
[0321] The Serenade.RTM. ASO product, which contains 1.times.109
CFU/g Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was applied in furrow at the time
of wheat seed planting along with the following starter fertilizer:
10-34-0 (10% nitrogen, 34% phosphate and 0% potassium) and/or Power
Up (6% nitrogen, 18% phosphate and 6% potassium) at the rates/per
acre shown below. Disease pressure was essentially non-existent,
such that disease rates were not reported for this trial. This was
a situation in which a grower would not typically apply the
Serenade.RTM. ASO product, as the cost would not be justified from
a disease control perspective.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 5 Yield Treatment (bushels/acre) Control 21.7
3 gallons per acre (gpa) of 10-34-0 25.9 2 gpa of 10-34-0 + 1 gpa
Power up 28.3 2 gpa of 10-34-0 + 1 gpa Power 31.0 up + Serenade
.RTM. ASO 8 oz/ac 2 gpa of 10-34-0 + 1 gpa Power 30.1 up + Serenade
.RTM. ASO 16 oz/ac
[0322] As can be seen in table 5, the application of Serenade.RTM.
ASO with the fertilizers resulted in an increased yield. In
addition, in the case of in-furrow application of Serenade.RTM.
ASO, wheat heads displayed advanced maturity compared to the
untreated controt plants in which only 75% of the wheat heads had
formed at the same time point.
EXAMPLE 6
Lettuce
[0323] The active compounds were used applying commercially
available formulations and diluted according to the
concentrations/dose rates as stated in table 6. Commercially
available lettuce seedlings ("Eichblatt") were used for the
described greenhouse trial. 4 replications (pots with 1 plant each)
were used per treatment. Plants were grown in commercially
available substrate (Floradur A) at approx. 20.degree. C. in the
greenhouse. Drench applications using a volume of 25 ml of product
solution or water (Control) were made on 16 consecutive days. On
the last day, fresh weight was determined using all plant parts
above ground.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 6 Yield Treatment Fresh weight (g) Control
51.7 Serenade .RTM. MAX 312 ppm 59.5 Serenade .RTM. MAX 625 ppm
62.4 Serenade .RTM. MAX 1250 ppm 74.1 Serenade .RTM. MAX 2500 ppm
68.9
[0324] As can be seen from table 6, Serenade.RTM. MAX strongly
increases the fresh weight of lettuce plants which is an essential
parameter for vegetables.
EXAMPLE 7
Soybeans
[0325] Soybeans were planted in December 2008 at the BASF
experimental station in Campinas, San Antonio de Posse, Sao Paulo,
Brazil. The variety Emprapa 48 was planted at a seeding rate of
300.000 plants per ha. Row spacing was 45 cm. Two trials were setup
as a randomized bloc design with 6 replications. Plot size was 20
m.sup.2.
[0326] Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was applied by foliar application
to the vegetative parts of the soybean plants at developmental
stage 23/29 (BBCH) followed by the foliar application of either
Bacillus subtilis QST 713 alone or in tank mix with pyraclostrobin
(applied as COMET.RTM. at the beginning of flowering at the
developmental stages 60/63 (BBCH). The active ingredients were
applied using the commercial formulations Serenade.RTM. (10%, WP
with 5.times.109 cfu/g) and Comet.RTM. (250 g/L, EC). The
formulations were used in the dose rates given in table 7. Total
spray volume for foliar applications was 150 l/ha. Serenade.RTM.
was applied with 3 kg product per ha and Comet.RTM. applied with a
product rate of 0.4 l/ha. At maturity the crop was harvested and
grain yield was measured in t/ha. Green leaf area was assessed 31
days after the last treatment (table 7) by estimating the green
leaf area in 10 randomly chosen plants per plot.
[0327] The efficacy (E) was calculated as % increase of green leaf
area in the treatments compared to the untreated control according
to the following formula:
E=a/b-1100 [0328] E efficacy [0329] a corresponds to the green leaf
area (%) of the treated plants and [0330] b corresponds to the
green leaf area (%) of the untreated (control) plants
[0331] An efficacy (E) of 0 means the green leaf area of the
treated plants corresponds to that of the untreated control plants;
an efficacy of 100 means the treated plants showed an increase in
the green leaf area of 100%.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 7 Grain GLA GLAE Yield Treatment PR FC FT AT
(%) (%) (t/ha) Untreated 7.5 1.97 Serenade .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 10% WP
23/29 12.5 66.6 2.30 3.0 kg/ha 10% WP 60/63 Serenade .RTM. 3.0
kg/ha 10% WP 23/29 20.0 166.6 3.08 3.0 kg/ha 10% WP 60/63 Pyra- 0.3
l/ha 250 g/l EC 60/63 clostrobin PR = Product rate; FC =
Formulation concentration; FT = Formulation type; AT = Application
time (BBCH); GLA = Green Leaf Area; Green Leaf Area (Efficacy)
[0332] As can be seen in table 7, Serenade.RTM. clearly increases
the green leaf area duration (maintenance of green leaves) and the
grain yield in soybeans compared to the untreated control. In
addition, the results shown in table 7 demonstrate that the
efficacy of the combination of Serenade.RTM. and pyraclostrobin is
even higher than for Serenade alone. An increase of the green leaf
area is a visible sign of the enhanced plant vigor. Based on a
prolonged maintenance of green leaves which in turn results in a
prolonged photosynethic activity of the leaves as well as an
overall strengthening of the plant, the plant is able to produce a
higher yield.
EXAMPLE 8
Soybeans
[0333] Soybeans were planted in 2009 at 9 locations across the
soybean growing area of Midwest of the USA (IN, IL, IA, MO, NE, and
SD). Planting dates ranched from May 7th at York, Nebr., to June
22nd at Clarence, Mo. Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was applied to the
vegetative parts of the soybean plants at developmental stage 23/29
(BBCH). The B. subtilis QST 713 was applied using the commercial
formulation Serenade Max.RTM. (14.3%, WP with 7.3.times.109 cfu/g).
Serenade Max.RTM. was used in the dose rates given in Table 8.
Total spray volume for foliar application ranched from 140 to 200
l/ha. Serenade Max.RTM. was applied at 3 kg product per ha. At
maturity the crop was harvested and grain yield was measured as
t/ha (table 8). Green leaf area was assessed 36 to 66 days after
the last treatment on seven of the trial locations (table 8) by
estimating the green leaf area in 10 randomly chosen plants per
plot. The efficacy was calculated as indicated above.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 8 Grain GLA GLAE Yield Treatment PR FC FT AT
(%) (%) (t/ha) Untreated 64.36 34.87 Serenade .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 14.3%
WP 23/29 67.04 4.2 36.42 MAX PR = Product rate; FC = Formulation
concentration; FT = Formulation type; AT = Application time (BBCH);
GLA = Green Leaf Area; Green Leaf Area (Efficacy)
[0334] As can be seen in table 8, Serenade Max.RTM. increases the
green leaf area duration and therefore improve photosynthetic
activity of soybeans. In addition, Serenade Max.RTM. strongly
increases the grain yield; in this case by 1.55 t/ha in soybeans
compared to the untreated control by improving the vigor of the
soybean plants.
EXAMPLE 9
Winter Wheat
[0335] Winter wheat was grown in the 2008/2009 growing season at 4
locations across Germany (Thuringia, Baden-Wuerttemberg, and
Rhineland-Palatinate). Seeding of the crop ranged from September
21st to October 26th. The trials were setup in a randomized bloc
design with 6 replications. Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was applied
to the winter wheat plants at beginning of shooting (growth stage
31/32, BBCH). The fungicide spray sequence consisted of an
application of epoxiconazole at beginning of shooting followed by
an application of epoxiconazole in combination with pyraclostrobin
at flag leaf stage (growth stage 37/39). The B. subtilis QST 713
was applied using the commercial formulation Serenade Max.RTM.
(14.3%, WP with 7.3.times.109 cfu/g). Epoxiconazole was applied
alone at beginning of shooting as the commercially available
formulation Opus.RTM. (125 g/l, SC). The combination of
epoxiconazole and pyraclostrobin was applied as a ready to use
developmental Opera.RTM. formulation (SE) containing 62.5 g/l
epoxiconazole and 85 g/l pyraclostrobin. Product rates are given in
table 9. Total spray volume for the foliar applications were 300
l/ha. At maturity the crop was harvested and grain yield was
measured as t/ha (table 9).
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 9 Observed Grain yield Yield increase
Treatment PR FC FT AT (t/ha) (t/ha) Untreated 6.73 Epoxiconazole
0.8 l/ha 125 g/l SC 31/32 7.78 1.05 Epoxiconazole + 2.0 l/ha 147.5
SE 37/39 Pyraclostrobin Serenade Max .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 14.3% WP 31/32
6.87 0.14 Serenade Max .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 14.3% WP 31/32 7.93 1.20
Epoxiconazole 0.8 l/ha 125 g/l SC 31/32 Epoxiconazole + 2.0 l/ha
147.5 SE 37/39 Pyraclostrobin PR = Product rate; FC = Formulation
concentration; FT = Formulation type; AT = Application time
(BBCH);
[0336] As can be seen in table 9, the Serenade Max.RTM. treatment
increased the yield of the wheat crop by 140 kg/ha. The joint
application with an application sequence of Serenade Max.RTM.
together with the fungicide spray of epoxiconazole and
epoxiconazole plus pyraclostrobin was even superior compared to the
application of the fungicides (epoxiconazole plus pyraclostrobin)
alone (1.2 vs. 1.05 t/ha). These findings demonstrate the
improvement of the vigor of the wheat plants by Bacillus subtilis
QST 713 and the superior effect of the combination of Bacillus
subtilis QST 713 with fungicides compared to the effect of the solo
application of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 or an application of a
composition comprising as active ingredients only fungicides.
EXAMPLE 10
Maize (Corn)
[0337] Maize was planted in 2009 at Carlyle, Ill., USA. The variety
Burrus 616XLR was planted at a conventional seeding rate and a row
spacing of 76 cm. The trial was setup as a randomized bloc design
with 6 replications. Plot size was 18 m.sup.2. Pyraclostrobin was
applied at developmental stage 34/37 (BBCH). Bacillus subtilis QST
713 (Serenade Max.RTM.) was applied to the maize plants at
developmental stage 34/37 (BBCH) followed by a second application
at developmental stage 55/57 (BBCH). Bacillus subtilis QST 713
(Serenade Max.RTM.) in combination with pyraclostrobin were applied
as a tank mix at the developmental stage 34/37 (BBCH). The active
ingredients were applied using commercial formulations Serenade
Max.RTM. (14.3%, WP with 7.3.times.109 cfu/g) and Headline.RTM.
(250 g/L, EC). The formulations were used in the dose rates given
in table 10. Total spray volume for foliar applications was 200
l/ha. Serenade Max.RTM. was applied with 2.1 kg product per ha and
Headline.RTM. with a product rate of 0.44 l/ha. At maturity the
crop was harvested and grain yield was measured as t/ha (table
10).
[0338] The expected yield increase by the combination of the active
compounds was estimated using Colby's formula (Colby, S. R.,
Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of herbicide
combinations, Weeds, 15, pp. 20-22, 1967) and compared with the
observed yield increase.
E=x+y-xy/100 Colby's formula: [0339] E expected efficacy, expressed
as the numerical difference of the yield in t/ha to the untreated
control, when using the mixture of the active compounds A and B at
the concentrations a and b [0340] x efficacy, expressed as the
numerical difference of the yield in t/ha to the untreated control,
when using the active ingredient A at the concentration a [0341] y
efficacy, expressed as the numerical difference of the yield in
t/ha to the untreated control, when using the active ingredient B
at the concentration b
TABLE-US-00011 [0341] TABLE 10 Observed Expected Grain yield yield
Yield increase increase Treatment PR FC FT AT (t/ha) (t/ha) (t/ha)
Untreated 8.27 Pyraclostrobin 0.44 l/ha 250 g/l EC 34/37 8.32 0.05
Serenade Max .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 14.3% WP 34/37 8.42 0.15 3.0 kg/ha
55/57 Serenade Max .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 14.3% WP 34/37 8.66 0.39 0.19
Pyraclostrobin 0.3 l/ha 250 g/l EC PR = Product rate; FC =
Formulation concentration; FT = Formulation type; AT = Application
time (BBCH);
[0342] Application of Serenade Max.RTM. alone and the combination
of Serenade Max.RTM. and pyraclostrobin results in a clear yield
increase. Compared to the yield increase of the solo application of
Serenade Max.RTM. or pyraclostrobin solo, the yield increase when
the combination of Serenade Max.RTM. and pyraclostrobin were
applied together is even higher than could have been expected
according to Colby's formula. This yield increase, which is about
double as high as expected, clearly demonstrates the synergistic
effect of the compositions according to the invention on the
plant's vigor and the plant's yield.
EXAMPLE 11
Winter Wheat
[0343] Winter wheat was grown in the 2008/2009 growing season at
Cagnicourt in France. The variety Premio was sown November 1st at a
seeding rate of 125 kg/ha. The trial was setup in a randomized bloc
design with 6 replications and a plot size of 22.5 m.sup.2.
Bacillus subtilis QST 713 was applied to the winter wheat plants at
beginning of shooting (growth stage 31/32, BBCH). The fungicide
spray sequence consisted of an application of epoxiconazole at
beginning of shooting followed by an application of epoxiconazole
in combination with pyraclostrobin at flag leaf stage (growth stage
37/39). The B. subtilis QST 713 was applied using the commercial
formulation Serenade Max.RTM. (14.3%, WP with 7.3.times.109 cfu/g).
Epoxiconazole was applied alone at beginning of shooting as the
commercially available formulation Opus.RTM. (125 g/l, SC). The
combination of epoxiconazole and pyraclostrobin was applied as a
ready to use developmental Opera formulation (SE) containing 62.5
g/l epoxiconazole and 85 g/l pyraclostrobin. Product rates are
given in table 11. Total spray volume for the foliar applications
were 300 l/ha. At end of heading and beginning of flowering,
respectively, the number ears per m.sup.2 was counted (table 11).
The expected increase in number of ears per m.sup.2 by the
combination of the active compounds was estimated using Colby's
formula (Colby, S. R., Calculating synergistic and antagonistic
responses of herbicide combinations, Weeds, 15, pp. 20-22, 1967)
and compared with the observed increase as described above.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 11 No of Observed Expected Treatment PR FC FT
AT Ears/m.sup.2 increase increase Untreated 375 Epoxiconazole 0.8
l/ha 125 g/l SC 31/32 394 19 Epoxiconazole + 2.0 l/ha 147.5 SE
37/39 Pyraclostrobin Serenade Max .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 14.3% WP 31/32
385 10 Serenade Max .RTM. 3.0 kg/ha 14.3% WP 31/32 406 31 27
Epoxiconazole 0.8 l/ha 125 g/l SC 31/32 Epoxiconazole + 2.0 l/ha
147.5 SE 37/39 Pyraclostrobin PR = Product rate; FC = Formulation
concentration; FT = Formulation type; AT = Application time
(BBCH);
[0344] In this example, again, Serenade Max.RTM. improved the
health of the wheat plants leading to increased number of ears per
m.sup.2. An increased number of ears per m.sup.2 was also observed
from the fungicide spray sequence. The increase observed from the
combined application of Serenade Max.RTM. and the fungicides was
higher than expected according to Colby's formula, as is shown in
table 11. This result clearly illustrates the synergistic effect of
the combination of Bacillus subtilis QST 713 with azoles and
strobilurins on the vigor and yield of the wheat plants when
applied together in a tank mix or a spray sequence.
EXAMPLE 12
Peas
[0345] The active compounds were used applying commercially
available formulations and diluted according to the
concentrations/dose rates as stated in the respective data
tables.
[0346] Seed treatment was done to seeds of peas using the Hege Seed
Treatment equipment in a sequential approach. Pyraclostrobin was
applied with a volume of 850 ml slurry per 100 kg seeds. Afterwards
the stated amount of Serenade.RTM. MAX was dissolved in a total
volume of 8.3 L water (amount for 100 kg seeds) and applied
sequentially in ten steps with drying of the seeds inbetween. The
compounds were used as commercial finished formulations and diluted
with water to the stated concentration of the active compound.
[0347] Seeds of peas were sown in soil (10 seeds/pot, 10
replications/treatment) and incubated in the greenhouse at
20.degree. C. for 12 days. Plants were harvested and pooled per
treatment and the plant fresh weight was determined.
[0348] The expected plant fresh weights of active compound mixtures
were determined using Colby's formula as defined above [R. S.
Colby, "Calculating synergistic and antagonistic responses of
herbicide combinations", Weeds 15, 20-22 (1967)] and compared with
the observed plant fresh weights.
[0349] As can be seen in table 12, the measured fresh weight when
Serenade Max.RTM. is applied strongly increases compared to the
untreated control plants. In case a mixture according to the
present invention is applied such as the combination of Serenade
Max.RTM. and pyraclostrobin, the fresh weight as an indicator for
the plant's vigor and yield is increased even synergistically.
TABLE-US-00013 TABLE 12 Fresh Calculated Dose rate weight efficacy
according Treatment (g/100 kg seed) (g) to Colby (%) Untreated 55
Pyraclostrobin 5 47 (200 g/l, FS) Serenade Max .RTM. 173 64 (14.3%
B. subtilis, WP) Pyraclostrobin + 5 92 81 Serenade Max .RTM.
173
* * * * *
References