JP7504165B2 - Biocide Compositions - Google Patents

Description

The present technology relates to seed treatments, particularly seed treatment compositions with improvements in drying time and plantability.

The use of biocides to control pests in crops is widely practiced. This practice has met with a high level of commercial success because such control has been shown to be capable of increasing crop yields. Biocides can be applied directly to plant propagation materials (e.g. seeds) prior to sowing and/or are used in foliar or furrow applications.

A seed treatment is any material that is applied to seeds. Examples of seed treatments include, among others, biocides, non-biocide formulations, and mixtures thereof. Non-biocide formulations typically include materials such as, for example, surfactants, humectants, fillers, and polymers that affect the properties of the treated seed. Seed treatments are commonly used on a variety of crops to control a variety of pests. Seed treatments are commonly used to ensure uniform stand establishment by protecting against soil-borne diseases and insects. Systemic seed treatments have the potential to provide an alternative to traditional broadcast sprays of foliar fungicides or insecticides against some early season airborne diseases and insects.

Biocidal seed treatments are available in a variety of formulations: dry flowables (DF), liquid flowables (LF), true liquids (TL), emulsifiable concentrates (EC), dusts (D), wettable powders (WP), suspoemulsions (SE), water-dispersible granules (WG), and others. Some are regulated for use only by commercial applicators using enclosed application systems, while others are readily available for use on the farm as dusts, slurries, water-soluble packaged formulations, or liquid ready-to-apply formulations.

Commercially available seed treatments often require special equipment to properly apply the treatment or to treat large quantities of seeds. For example, when attempting to treat seeds, it can be difficult to completely cover the seeds. For example, dry formulations can subject workers to unacceptable exposure to the fungicidal or insecticidal active ingredients. Problems such as unacceptable drying times, sticking of materials in the seed treater, poor seed flowability, poor seed coverage, dust-off of biocide from the seeds prior to sowing, etc. can result, making handling difficult and reducing the biological effectiveness of the seed treatment.

Seed coating additives are seed treatments used to remedy problems such as poor seed flowability and excessive dust-off. However, it is well known that selecting a seed coating additive to suppress dust-off will have the adverse effect of reducing seed flowability as well. Similarly, it is well known that selecting a seed coating to improve seed flowability will have the adverse effect of increasing dust-off.

The present technology provides seed treatment compositions that have improved adhesion to plant propagation material while providing reduced dust-off. The compositions of the present technology have particular use in combination with one or more biocides to protect plant propagation material, such as seeds, from pests.

Thus, the present technology provides an improved seed treatment suitable for application to plant propagation material. The seed treatment of the present technology includes propylene glycol and talc. Such additives dramatically improve the drying time of the seed treatment composition, thereby improving adhesion to the seed.

1 is a table showing the results of Example 2.

Propylene glycol is also known as propane-1,2-diol and has the chemical formula C ₃ H ₈ O _2. As previously mentioned, the use of propylene glycol in the compositions of the present invention aids in the drying time of the composition after it has been used to treat seeds. Although propylene glycol is sometimes used in seed treatment formulations, it does so for its properties as an antifreeze component, and not as an ingredient to reduce drying time. In some embodiments, the amount of propylene glycol in the composition may be from about 2% to about 8% by weight of the composition. In further embodiments, the amount of propylene glycol in the composition may be from about 4% to about 6% by weight of the composition. And in yet further embodiments, the amount of propylene glycol in the composition may be about 5% by weight of the composition.

Talc is used in combination with the propylene glycol of the present invention to aid in the drying time of the compositions of the present invention. However, some amount of talc may be required to prevent the compositions of the present invention from dusting off too much when the composition is forcibly brushed off the seeds after treatment. Thus, talc is used in the composition in an amount of about 10% or less by weight of the composition. In further embodiments, talc is used in the composition in an amount of about 9% or less by weight of the composition, about 8% or less by weight of the composition, about 7% or less by weight of the composition, about 6% or less by weight of the composition, or about 5% or less by weight of the composition. Talcs suitable for the present invention include SILVERLINE 002 (magnesium silicate) (Fitz Chem of Itasca, IL) and SILVERLINE 202 (magnesium silicate) (Imerys Corporation of Sylacauga, AL). For example, in some embodiments, the talc may include magnesium silicate.

The propylene glycol and talc used in the compositions of the present invention may be expressed in the form of a ratio. For example, the ratio of propylene glycol to talc may be from about 2:1 to about 1:2, from about 1.5:1 to about 1:1.5, from about 1.2:1 to about 1:1.2, all by weight of the composition. In yet further embodiments, the ratio of propylene glycol to talc may be about 1:1 by weight of the composition.

In some embodiments, the compositions of the present invention can reduce the drying time of the composition to less than 5 hours after application to a seed. In further embodiments, the compositions of the present invention can reduce the drying time of the composition to less than 2 hours after application to a seed.

Seed treatment formulations applied to seeds typically contain biocides, surfactants, film-forming polymers, carriers, antifreeze agents, and other formulation additives, which, when used together, provide compositions that are storage stable and suitable for use in conventional seed treating equipment, such as slurry seed treaters, direct treaters, panogen treaters, or mist-o-matic treaters, as well as on-farm hopper-box or planter-box treatments. Propagules treated with these compositions dry quickly, have good flowability and adequate covering power, and little or no dust-off. These compositions are advantageously combined with a biocidally effective amount of at least one biocide.

Biocides As used herein, the term "pesticide" is intended to cover compounds that are active against pests and are intended to repel, kill, or control any species considered to be pests, including weeds, insects, rodents, fungi, bacteria, or other organisms.

Examples of individual compounds of the classes of compounds listed above are given below. Trivial names are used to refer to individual compounds when known (see the Pesticide Manual, 12th edition, 2001, British Crop Protection Council).

Examples of biocides include, but are not limited to, those selected from insecticides, acaricides, bactericides, fungicides, nematicides, and molluscicides.

Suitable additives for insecticidal, acaricidal or molluscicidal active ingredients include, for example, representative of the following classes of active ingredients, but are not limited to: organophosphorus compounds, nitrophenols and derivatives, formamidines, triazine derivatives, nitroenamine derivatives, nitro- and cyano-guanidine derivatives, urea, benzoylureas, carbamates, pyrethroids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and Bacillus thuringiensis preparations. For example, in some embodiments, insecticides include thiamethoxam, abamectin, cyanoimine, acetamiprid, thiodicarb, nitromethylene, nitenpyram, clothianidin, dinotefuran, fipronil, lufenuron, pyripfoxyfen, thiacloprid, fluxofenime; imidacloprid, chlorantraniliprole, betercyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, fenoxycarb, diafenthiuron, pymetrozine, diazinon, disulfoton; profenofos, furathiocarb, cyromazine, cypermethrin, tau-fluvalinate, spinetoram, spinosad, sulfoxaflor, tefluthrin, or Bacillus thuringiensis. thuringiensis preparations. In further embodiments, the biocides of the present invention include thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, and fludioxonil.

Suitable additives for fungicidal active ingredients include, for example, representatives of the following classes of active ingredients, but are not limited to: strobilurins, triazoles, ortho-cyclopropyl-carboxanilide derivatives, phenylpyrroles, and systemic fungicides. Examples of suitable additives for fungicidal active ingredients include, but are not limited to, the following compounds: azoxystrobin; bitertanol; carboxin; Cu ₂ O; Cymoxanil; Cyproconazole; Cyprodinil; Diclofluramide; Difenoconazole; Diniconazole; Epoxyconazole; Fenpiclonil; Fludioxonil; Fluoxastrobin, Fluquiconazole; Flusilazole; Flutriafol; Furalaxyl; Guazatine; Hexaconazole; Hymexazole; Imazalil; Imibenconazole; Ipconazole; Kresoxim methyl; Mancozeb; Metalaxyl; Mefenoxam; Metconazole; Microb Tanil, oxadixyl, pefurazoate; penconazole; pencycuron; prochloraz; propiconazole; pyroquilon; (±)-cis-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)cycloheptanol; sedaxane; spiroxamine; tebuconazole; thiabendazole; tolifluamide; triazoxide; triadimefon; triadimenol; trifloxystrobin, triflumizole; triticonazole, and uniconazole.

In some embodiments, the biocides in the composition may include thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, and fludioxonil.

In some embodiments, the biocidally active compound or mixture of compounds is present in the composition in an amount of about 0.05% to about 50% by weight, more particularly 2% to about 30% by weight, of the total composition. In further embodiments, the biocidally active compound comprises about 20% to 30% by weight of the composition.

Seed treatment application rates for biocidal active ingredients (compounds) may be about 0.5-1000 g of biocidal active compound per 100 kg of seeds. In further embodiments, application rates for seed treatments include the following ranges: 0.5-500 g of biocidal active compound per 100 kg of seeds; 0.5-250 g of biocidal active compound per 100 kg of seeds; 0.5-100 g of biocidal active compound per 100 kg of seeds; 0.5-75 g of biocidal active compound per 100 kg of seeds; and 0.5-55 g of biocidal active compound per 100 kg of seeds.

Surfactant The seed treatment composition may comprise at least about 2% and up to about 15% by weight of a surfactant. The composition may comprise from 3% to 7% by weight of a surfactant.

Generally, the surfactant may include at least one nonionic surfactant and, optionally, may further include one or more anionic surfactants.

Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyarylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyalkylphenol polyethoxy ethers, polyglycol ether derivatives of saturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids, polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic alcohols, polyglycol ether derivatives of alicyclic alcohols, fatty acid esters of polyoxyethylene sorbitan, alkoxylated vegetable oils, alkoxylated acetyl-based diols, polyalkoxylated alkylphenols, fatty acid alkoxylates, sorbitan alkoxylates, sorbitol esters, _C8 to _C22 alkyl or alkenyl polyglycosides, polyalkoxystyryl aryl ethers, alkylamine oxides, block copolymer ethers, polyalkoxylated fatty acid glycerides, polyalkylene glycol ethers, linear aliphatic or aromatic polyesters, organosilicones, polyarylphenols, sorbitol ester alkoxylates, and mono- and di-esters of ethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

Specific examples of nonionic surfactants include: Genapol X-060 (Clariant) (ethoxylated fatty alcohol); Sorpohor BSU (Rhodia) (ethoxylated tristyrylphenol); Makon TD-6 (Stepan) (ethoxylated fatty alcohol); BRIJ 30 (Uniqema) (ethoxylated lauryl alcohol); Witconol CO-360 (Witco) (ethoxylated castor oil); Toximul 8320 (Stepan) (polyethylene-polypropylene glycol monobutyl ether); and Witconol NP-60 (Witco) (ethoxylated nonylphenol). Suitable nonionic surfactants can be prepared by methods known per se or are commercially available.

In general, the anionic surfactant may be any of those known in the art. Anionic surfactants are generally oligomers and polymers, as well as polycondensates, with a sufficient number of anionic groups to ensure their water solubility. Anionic surfactants also include alcohol sulfates, alcohol ether sulfates, alkylaryl ether sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates such as alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates and their salts, alkyl sulfonates, mono- or di-phosphate esters of polyalkoxylated alkyl alcohols or alkyl phenols, C ₁₂ -C ₁₅ alkanols or polyalkoxylated C ₁₂ -C 15 phosphate esters of ... Mono- or di-sulfosuccinate esters of _15- alkanols, alcohol ether carboxylates, phenolic ether carboxylates, polybasic acid esters of ethoxylated polyoxyalkylene glycols consisting of the residues of oxybutylene or tetrahydrofuran, sulfoalkylamides and their salts, such as Na N-methyl-N-oleoyl taurate, polyoxyalkylene alkylphenol carboxylates, polyoxyalkylene alcohol carboxylates, condensation products of alkyl polyglycosides/alkenyl succinic anhydrides, alkyl ester sulfates, naphthalene sulfonates, naphthalene formaldehyde condensates, alkyl sulfonamides, sulfones substituted aliphatic polyesters, sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and sulfonate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or triethanolammonium salts, salts of lignosulfonic acid, such as the sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, or ammonium salts, polyarylphenol polyalkoxyether sulfates and phosphates, and sulfated alkylphenol ethoxylates and phosphated alkylphenol ethoxylates.

Specific examples of anionic surfactants include: Geropon T77 (Rhodia) (N-methyl-N-oleoyl taurate Na salt); Soprophor 4D384 (Rhodia) (tristyrylphenol sulfate); Reax 825 (Westvaco) (ethoxylated lignin sulfonate); Stepfac 8171 (Stepan) (ethoxylated nonylphenol phosphate ester); Stepfac 8181 (Stepan) (tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate phosphate ester), Ninate 401-A (Stepan) (calcium alkylbenzene sulfonate); Emphos CS-131 (Witco) (ethoxylated nonylphenol phosphate ester); Ultrazine NA (sodium lignosulfonate); Ufoxane 3A, NA (sodium lignosulfonate); Morwet D-425 (sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate), Reax 1425E (lignin sulfonate ethoxylate), and Atphos 3226 (Uniqema) (ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol phosphate). Suitable anionic surfactants can be prepared by methods known per se or are commercially available.

In addition to anionic and nonionic surfactants, certain cationic or zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable for use in the present invention, including, for example, alkanolamides of _C8 - _C18 fatty acids with C8-C18 fatty amine polyalkoxylates, _C10 - _C18 alkyl dimethyl benzyl _{ammonium chlorides, coconut alkyl dimethyl amino acetic acid, and phosphate esters of C8-18 fatty amine} polyalkoxylates.

A mixture of nonionic and anionic surfactants, and optionally cationic or zwitterionic surfactants, may be employed as follows: (1) 0.5% to 4% by weight of a wetting agent selected from at least one anionic surfactant. Anionic surfactant wetting agents include: sulfoalkylamides and their salts, such as N-methyl-N-oleoyl taurate Na salt, alkylarylsulfonates, such as alkylbenzenesulfonates and alkylnaphthalenesulfonates and their salts, and salts of ligninsulfonic acid; (2) 1% to 4% by weight of a dispersing agent selected from at least one anionic surfactant. Anionic surfactant dispersants include: sulfate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and sulfonate esters of styrylphenyl alkoxylates and their corresponding sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, ammonium, alkylammonium, diethanolammonium, or triethanolammonium salts; (3) 1% to 5% by weight of an emulsifier selected from at least one anionic surfactant, at least one nonionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof. Suitable anionic/nonionic surfactant emulsifiers include: ethoxylated alkylphenols, polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene alkylphenols, (aliphatic) alcohol ethoxylates, and salts of ethoxylated tristyrylphenol.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the composition may include from about 1.5% to about 8% by weight of a surfactant. In such embodiments, the composition may include from about 1% to about 3% by weight of an anionic surfactant and from about 0.5% to about 3% by weight of a nonionic surfactant. Further, in such embodiments, the anionic surfactant may be tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate phosphate ester and the nonionic surfactant may be polyethylene-polypropylene glycol monobutyl ether. Still further, in such embodiments, the composition may include about 1% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and yet further include about 2% by weight of an anionic surfactant.

In some embodiments, the composition may include the following: Morwet D-425 (sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate) at about 0.2% by weight of the composition, Ultrazine NA (sodium lignosulfonate) at about 2.0% by weight of the composition, Stepfac 8181 (tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate phosphate ester) at about 2.0% by weight of the composition, Toximul 8320 (polyethylene-polypropylene glycol monobutyl ether) at about 1.0% by weight of the composition, propylene glycol at about 5.0% by weight of the composition, and Silverline 002 (magnesium silicate) at about 5.0% by weight of the composition or at about 10.0% by weight of the composition.

Humectants The seed treatment composition may further comprise a humectant. A humectant is a hygroscopic substance that retains water. The composition generally comprises from 1% to 30% by weight of the composition. By way of non-limiting example, commonly used formulation humectants include antifreeze agents such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin. In instances where propylene glycol is used as the humectant, the amount stated above is in addition to other amounts given.

Film-forming polymer The seed treatment composition may also include at least one polymer selected from water-soluble and water-dispersible film-forming polymers. Suitable polymers generally have an average molecular weight of at least about 1,000 to about 100,000, more particularly at least about 5,000 to about 100,000. The composition generally includes from about 0.5% to about 10% polymer by weight of the composition. In certain embodiments, the composition includes from about 1.0% to about 5% film-forming polymer by weight.

The polymers are generally selected from the following: random and block copolymers of alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block copolymers (EO/PO block copolymers) (including both EO-PO-EO and PO-EO-PO block copolymers), random and block copolymers of ethylene oxide-butylene oxide, C _2-6 alkyl adducts of random and block copolymers of ethylene oxide-propylene oxide, C _2-6 alkyl adducts of random and block copolymers of ethylene oxide-butylene oxide. Further contemplated polymers include monoalkyl ethers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene, such as the methyl ether, ethyl ether, propyl ether, butyl ether, or mixtures thereof; vinyl acetate/vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers; alkylated vinyl pyrrolidone copolymers; polyvinyl pyrrolidone; and polyalkylene glycols, including polypropylene glycol and polyethylene glycol.

Specific examples of polymers include: Pluronic P103 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic P65 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Pluronic P108 (BASF) (EO-PO-EO block copolymer), Vinamul 18160 (National Starch) (polyvinyl acetate), Agrimer 30 (ISP) (polyvinylpyrrolidone), Agrimer VA7w (ISP) (vinyl acetate/vinylpyrrolidone copolymer), Agrimer AL10 (ISP) (alkylated vinylpyrrolidone copolymer), PEG400 (Uniqema) (polyethylene glycol), Pluronic R25R2 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO block copolymer), Pluronic R31R1 (BASF) (PO-EO-PO block copolymer), and Witconol NS500LQ (Witco) (butanol PO-EO copolymer).

In some embodiments of the present invention, the compositions and methods do not include a film-forming polymer as described above. As illustrated in the examples below, the absence of such a film-forming polymer may aid in the plantability of the composition.

Antifreeze Agent The composition may include from about 2% to about 30% by weight of an antifreeze agent.

Specific examples of antifreeze agents include: ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,4-pentanediol, 3-methyl-1,5-pentanediol, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butanediol, trimethylolpropane, mannitol, sorbitol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, xylenol, bisphenols such as bisphenol A, etc. Furthermore, ether alcohols such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, polyoxyethylene glycol or polyoxypropylene glycol with a molecular weight of up to about 4000, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, butoxyethanol, butylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipentaerythritol, tripentaerythritol, tetrapentaerythritol, diglycerol, triglycerol, tetraglycerol, pentaglycerol, hexaglycerol, heptaglycerol, octaglycerol, etc.

A specific subset of suitable antifreeze materials includes ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin. In instances where propylene glycol is used as the antifreeze agent, the amounts stated above are in addition to any other amounts given.

Additional Ingredients The composition may further comprise (e) at least one thickening agent.

In one embodiment, the thickener is present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 25% by weight of the total composition, more particularly from 0.02% to 10% by weight.

Examples of thickeners (water-soluble polymers that exhibit pseudoplastic properties in an aqueous medium) include: gum arabic, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, guar gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, alginate salts, casein, dextran, pectin, agar, 2-hydroxyethyl starch, 2-aminoethyl starch, 2-hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose salts, cellulose sulfate salts, polyacrylamide, alkali metal salts of maleic anhydride copolymers, alkali metal salts of poly(meth)acrylates, etc.

Suitable thickening agents may also include: attapulgite-type clays, carrageenan, croscarmellose sodium, furcelleran, glycerol, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polystyrene, vinylpyrrolidone/styrene block copolymers, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl guar gum, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

The compositions according to the invention may also be employed in combination with adjuvants conventionally used in the formulation art, such as biocides, biostats, emulsifiers (such as lethicin, sorbitan, etc.), antifoaming agents, or application-promoting adjuvants conventionally used in the field of formulations. In addition, inoculants and brighteners may also be mentioned.

Additionally, colorants, such as dyes or pigments (and others such as those described in CFR 180.1001), may be included in the seed coating to enable an observer to recognize at a glance that the seed has been treated. Dyes are also useful in indicating to the user the uniformity of the coating that has been applied.

The compositions of the invention may contain further active compounds and/or be applied simultaneously or sequentially. These further compounds may be fertilizers or micronutrient donors or other preparations that influence plant growth. They may be selective herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, bactericides, insect growth regulators, plant growth regulators, nematocides, molluscicides or mixtures of several of these preparations.

Processes The biocidal compositions of the present invention can be prepared by processes known in the art.

In one embodiment, the compositions of the present invention can be prepared by a process comprising: (a) forming a premix with at least one biocidal compound, at least one surfactant, and water; (b) forming a premix of a thickener and water; and (c) sequentially adding, with stirring, premix (a) and (b), talc, propylene glycol, the remaining ingredients, and water to form a homogenous composition.

In another embodiment, a commercially available seed treatment formulation can be combined with talc and propylene glycol to prepare the composition of the present invention.

Compositions The biocidal compositions according to the invention may take the form of an aqueous solution, dispersion, suspension, emulsion, or suspoemulsion. In one embodiment, the composition is a ready for use suspension or suspoemulsion.

Use The terms "plant propagation material" and "seed" as defined herein include both true seeds and other types of plant propagation material from which plants grow. Plant propagation material itself generally refers to seeds and is defined as such herein. Many seed treatments are applied to true seeds, which have a seed coat around the germ. Seed treatments are also applied to plant propagation material such as rhizomes, bulbs, corms, or tubers.

The amount of fungicide, insecticide, or other ingredient used in the seed treatment is generally employed in an amount that does not inhibit seed production or cause phytotoxic harm to the seed. The total amount of active ingredients generally ranges from about 0.05% to about 50%, more particularly 15% to about 28%, by weight of the total composition.

Suitable target seeds are in particular: corn, potato, cereals (wheat, barley, rye, oats, rice), maize, sugar beet, cotton, millet varieties such as sorghum, sunflower, beans, peas, oil plants such as canola, rapeseed, soybean, cabbage, tomato, eggplant, aubergine, pepper, and other vegetable and spicy plants, as well as ornamental shrubs and flowers. Suitable target seeds also include genetically modified crops of the aforementioned varieties.

Appropriate application rates of talc and propylene glycol to plant seeds are 0.05-10.0 g/500 g seeds; 0.1-5.0 g/500 g seeds; 0.1-2.5 g/500 g seeds; 0.1-1.0 g/500 g seeds; and even 0.25-1.0 g/500 g seeds.

The techniques of seed treatment application are well known to those skilled in the art and can be readily used in the context of the present invention. The compositions of the present invention are applied to the seeds as a slurry or soak, for example also as thin film coating or encapsulation. The coating process is well known in the art and in the case of seeds, the technique of thin film coating or encapsulation is employed, or in the case of other multiplication products, the technique of soaking is employed. The method of applying the composition of the present invention to the seeds can vary and the present technology is intended to include any technique to be used.

As previously indicated, the compositions of the present technology may be bound onto the seeds by blending or mixing in the seed treater tank or by overcoating with other seed treatments. The agents mixed with the compounds of the present invention may be for pest control, for nutrition, and for plant disease control.

The technology is unique in that it provides treated seeds with a shorter drying time than conventional seed treatments while at the same time suppressing excessive dust. Thus, the formulation helps reduce associated health hazards for those who handle treated seeds, such as processing plant employees, truck drivers, warehouse workers, and agricultural workers.

Another feature of the technology is the uniform coating of the seeds with a non-dusting seed treatment, which will not interfere with seed germination and sprouting, and will protect the seeds from seed-borne pathogens.

In order that one of ordinary skill in the art may be better able to practice this technology, the following examples are provided by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. In the following examples, as well as in this specification and claims, temperatures are in degrees Celsius, pressures are atmospheric, and all parts are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.

Example 1: Testing of Formulation Concepts To demonstrate the effectiveness of the inventive concepts provided above, three different formulations were tested. Each formulation contained thiamethoxam (22.62% by weight), fludioxonil (1.12% by weight), and mefenoxam (1.70% by weight). Formulation B further contained propylene glycol (5.0% by weight), and Formulation C contained propylene glycol (5.0% by weight) and talc (Silverline 002, 5.0% by weight).

Evaluation of Coating on Film: Each formulation was placed on a plastic film and allowed to dry before application to the seeds. The drying times for each formulation are shown in the following table.

Table 1

Soybean seeds were then treated with each of the three different formulations (A, B, and C) and the wet flowability (g/sec) and dry flowability (g/sec) were measured.

Wet Flow Measurement: Seeds are immediately removed from the treater and weighed. The seeds are then placed into a Cox funnel with a 1.25 inch opening in the stem. The stopwatch is started as the funnel door is opened. When the seeds begin to clump, the funnel is tapped lightly. When the last seed flows out of the funnel, the stopwatch is stopped. The seeds are placed back into the funnel a second time, repeating the above procedure three times. The flow measurements are then calculated and averaged.

Dry Flow Measurement: Seeds are removed from the treater, allowed to dry completely (approximately 24 hours), and then weighed. The seeds are then placed into a Cox funnel with a 1.25 inch opening in the stem. The stopwatch is started as the funnel door is opened. When the seeds begin to clump, the funnel is tapped lightly. When the last seed has flowed out of the funnel, the stopwatch is stopped. The seeds are placed back into the funnel a second time, repeating the above procedure three times in total. The flow measurements are then calculated and averaged.

Table 2

As can be seen in Tables 1 and 2, the combination of talc and propylene glycol provides benefits in terms of drying time and seed flowability.

Example 2A: Formulation Comparison Five different compositions (A, B, C, D and E, as shown in Table 3) were prepared and applied onto soybean seeds and tested under various conditions to determine the plantability of the seeds compared to untreated soybean seeds. Four different compositions were applied onto Waseguro soybean seeds. Once the seeds were treated with the appropriate composition, they were immediately placed into a plastic container. The seeds were then stored at various temperatures and relative humidity (RH) and allowed to dry for different periods of time. The drying times and conditions were as follows: (1) seeds stored at 25°C, 60-70% RH for 30 minutes; (2) seeds stored at 25°C, 60-70% RH for 3 hours; (3) seeds stored at 25°C, 60-70% RH for 24 hours; (4) seeds stored at 40°C, 98% RH for 1 hour; and (5) seeds stored at 40°C, 98% RH for 4 hours. Upon completion of the allotted time, the seeds were placed into a roll-type seed drill, which was run for 2 minutes and the discharged seeds were collected. The weight of the discharged seeds was recorded and each test was repeated three times. Each test was repeated three times (any seeds stuck in the holes were removed after each test). The machine was cleaned after each sample was evaluated and clarity was verified by testing untreated seeds between samples. As a standard, Cruiser FS30 was included because it was known to have good planting characteristics.

Table 3

The only difference between formulations A and C is the specific acticide used.

The results for fallen seed weight versus untreated seed weight (in percentage) are shown in Table 4 and Figure 1.

Table 4

Seed weights falling below 100% indicate impaired plantability compared to untreated seeds. The results show that formulations A-E of the present invention all provide better plantability than the CruiserMaxx or Cruiser FS30 commercial standards, especially under humid conditions. Treatments without binder (formulations A, B, C) showed better plantability after 30 minutes drying compared to treatments with binder (formulations D and E). At certain temperatures and relative humidities, the presence of film-forming polymers can inhibit seed flowability. Such findings are of great importance since many seeds are planted under extremely hot and humid conditions.

Formulations A-E in Table 3 were also compared to the standard CruiserMaxx seed treatment, which does not contain propylene glycol or talc.

Example 2B: Peeling test A test was carried out to evaluate the peeling of seed treatments from treated seeds. 100 g of treated seeds were placed in a closed plastic bottle and the bottle was placed in an oven at 60° C. for 2 hours. The bottle (with condensation on the inside of the bottle from the moisture in the seeds) was placed in a ball mill and rotated at 28 rpm for 5 minutes at 25° C. The appearance was then visually evaluated for peeling. Less peeling was observed for seeds treated with CruiserMaxx and either polymer or talc. The results show that both polymer and talc prevented the peeling of CruiserMaxx from the coated seeds.

Example 2C: Dust Off and Dry Time Dry time was assessed at regular intervals after the seeds were treated and dust off was measured using standard industry methods, the results of which are shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Dust-off and drying times for treated seeds

Dust-off levels were similar for all formulations and all were within acceptable levels for seed treatment formulations. The addition of propylene glycol was found to dramatically accelerate drying time compared to glycerin in the CruiserMaxx standard. Furthermore, the addition of 5% talc dramatically accelerated drying time without causing dust-off issues. The addition of 10% talc did not further improve drying time. The presence or absence of a binder has little effect on drying time, but does improve dustiness slightly.

Example 2D: Dry Flowability To measure the flowability of treated soybean seeds, a funnel flow test was performed after storage at 25°C and 75% relative humidity for 3 hours. The funnel was placed on a stand with a polybeaker underneath. A plastic plate was placed between the funnel and the polybeaker. 400 g of coated seeds were placed in the funnel. The plastic plate was quickly removed and the time it took for all the seeds to fall out was measured with a stopwatch (n=6).

In addition, the FT4 instrument was used to measure the resistance of the seeds to flow while they were moving. A precision "blade" or impeller was rotated and moved up and down through the sample to establish a precise flow pattern. This caused many particles/seeds to interact or flow relative to one another, and the resistance experienced by the blade represents the difficulty of this relative particle movement, i.e. bulk flowability. The greater the resistance to particle movement and the harder it is to flow the powder, the harder it is to move the blade. This resistance was measured as the force required to move the seed and is expressed as Down Energy or Up Energy. The lower the force, the better the flowability of the treated seed. Flow resistance can cause problems in seed handling and plantability. Good flowability is related to seed stickiness, not just immediately after treatment, but also after the drying process.

The results, which were obtained using six replicate tests, are shown in Table 6.

Table 6: Dry flow time for 400g treated soybean seeds

Seeds treated with propylene glycol and talc (Formulations AE) exhibited faster dry flow times than the CruiserMaxx standard.
Yet another aspect of the present invention may be as follows.
[1] A composition comprising:
a biocidal active ingredient at a concentration of about 20% to about 30% by weight of the composition;
propylene glycol, at a concentration of about 1% to about 10% by weight of the composition; and
Talc, at a concentration of less than about 10% by weight of the composition;
Including,
The composition wherein the ratio of propylene glycol to talc is from about 1.5:1 to about 1:1.5.
[2] The composition described in [1] above, wherein the talc is less than about 7% by weight of the composition.
[3] The composition described in [1] above, wherein the talc is about 5% by weight of the composition.
[4] The composition described in [1], wherein the biocidal active ingredient comprises thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, and fludioxonil.
[5] Thiamethoxam is in a concentration of about 21% to about 24% by weight of the composition;
Fludioxonil is in a concentration of about 0.5% to about 2% by weight of the composition;
Mefenoxam is in a concentration of about 0.5% to 2.5% by weight of the composition;
The composition described in [4] above.
[6] The composition described in [1], wherein the propylene glycol is about 5% by weight of the composition.
[7] The composition according to [1], further comprising an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant in a total concentration of about 1.5% to about 8% by weight of the composition.
[8] The composition according to [7], wherein each of the anionic surfactant and the nonionic surfactant is present in a concentration of about 0.5% by weight to about 3% by weight of the total concentration.
[9] The composition described in [7], wherein the anionic surfactant is a tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate phosphate ester, and the anionic surfactant is at a concentration of about 2% by weight of the composition.
[10] The composition according to [7], wherein the nonionic surfactant is polyethylene-polypropylene glycol monobutyl ether, and the nonionic surfactant is at a concentration of about 1% by weight of the composition.
[11] The composition according to [1] above, which does not contain a film-forming polymer.
[12] A method for reducing the time required for a seed treatment composition to dry after application to seeds, comprising:
A method comprising treating seeds with the composition described in [1] above, wherein the seeds become dry to the touch within 5 hours after treating the seeds.
[13] The method according to [12], wherein the seeds become dry to the touch within 2 hours after the seeds are treated.

Claims (3)

1. A composition comprising:
a biocidal active ingredient in a concentration of from 22 % to 30 % by weight of the composition;
propylene glycol at a concentration of 4% to 6 % by weight of the composition;
talc at a concentration of 5 % or less by weight of the composition; and anionic and nonionic surfactants, in a total concentration of 3% to 8 % by weight of the composition,
the anionic surfactant comprises a tridecyl alcohol ethoxylate phosphate ester at a concentration of 1% to 3 % by weight of the composition;
the nonionic surfactant comprises polyethylene-polypropylene glycol monobutyl ether at a concentration of 0.5% to 3 % by weight of the composition;
the biocidal active ingredient comprises thiamethoxam, mefenoxam, and fludioxonil;
Thiamethoxam is in a concentration of from 21 % to 24 % by weight of the composition;
fludioxonil is in a concentration of 0.5 % to 2 % by weight of the composition;
Mefenoxam is in a concentration of 0.5 % to 2.5% by weight of the composition;
the weight ratio of propylene glycol to talc is from 1.2:1 to 1:1.2;
Contains no film-forming polymers
The composition. 13. A method for reducing the time required for a seed treatment composition to dry after application to a seed, comprising treating the seed with the composition of claim 1, wherein the seed is dry to the touch within 5 hours of treating the seed. 3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the seeds are dry to the touch within 2 hours of treating the seeds.