MXPA00001970A - Methods and compositions for protecting plants and crops - Google Patents

Abstract

Molecular iodine, or a composition or ionic iodine complex which contains, generates, or releases molecular iodine, is used alone or mixed with a carrier for use as a plant and crop protectant. Secondary active ingredients, fertilizers, nutrients, micronutrients, promoters, polyaspartates, biomass, surfactants, emulsifiers, oils, odorants, waxes, salts, preservatives, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides, fumigants and iodides are optionally added to the carrier for additional plant benefit. The molecular iodine and the desired beneficial additive(s) is applied directly to plants and/or crops in order to protect the plants and/or crops from pests, such as fungi, nematodes, bacteria and insects, which are harmful to plants and/or crops.

Description

METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR THE PROTECTION OF PLANTS AND CROPS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to the use of compositions comprising molecular iodine to protect plants and / or crops against harmful pests and to methods for the use of these compositions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The protection of plants and crops against pests is of great economic importance for agriculture. Particularly, the protection of plants against fungi, nematodes, bacteria and insects is vital for the life of the plants, their growth and productivity. An object of the present invention, therefore, is to offer compositions and methods for the use of molecular iodine as a protector for plants and crops. Iodine in commercial products is often combined with additional materials. Iodine complexes comprise elemental iodine and a complexing agent for iodine. Iodine complexes exist in two forms: (1) ionic iodine complexes and (2) nonionic complexes. The ionic iodine complexes typically comprise elemental iodine and a complexing agent for iodine, i.e., a type I complexing agent, e.g., a cation, or a type II complexing agent. , for example, non-ionic iodine complexes, by i Ff5fc? "t / comprise elemental iodine and a type III complexing agent for iodine.Yodophores and starch-iodine complexes are examples of non-ionic iodine complexes. There are numerous examples in the literature that describe the preparation and / or use of non-ionic iodine complexes in water purification, wound and skin disinfection, equipment disinfection, germicidal solutions and sanitation; see, for example, US Pat. 2,498,174, 3,244,630, 4,822,592, 4,844,891 and 5,428,059, Japanese Patent Applications JP 6-172192 A and JP 7-017819 A, and the following technical references: Anon. [Chemical Processing, May (1956), 5 6-57], A.P. Black et al. [A.M. J. Public. Health 49: 1060-1068) 1959)], A.P. Black et al. [J.

Am. Water Works Assoc. 57: 1401-1421 (1965)], and R. Gruening [Specialty Chemicals, August 1996]. For example, C.A.

Lawrence et al. [J. Am. Pharm. Assoc. , Sci. Ed. 46: 500-505 (1957)] discloses that nonionic iodine complexes, ie complexes of type III iodine such as eg iodophors, for example elemental iodine solubilized by complex formation with one or more non-ionic wetting agents, can be used to protect animals against harmful bacteria, fungi and viruses. However, all these applications include the protection of animals, particularly human beings, and not animals such as plants and crops. There are important differences between disinfection application and plant protection applications (or crops). First, disinfection focuses on the control or elimination of pathogens harmful to humans or animals. However, many of the compositions useful for disinfecting affect the welfare of plants and / or crops. Therefore, plant disinfectants and protectants (or crops) can not be used interchangeably. Thus, there is no suggestion that a non-ionic iodine complex, when applied to a plant and / or crop, will kill harmful pests for the plant and / or crop without harming the plant and / or crop. In addition, the level of complex non-ionic iodine used to disinfect and purify as practiced in the prior art is relatively constant while the iodine levels employed in the present invention for the protection of plants and / or crops can vary widely to take into account many factors, for example, the type of plant and / or crop to be protected. In contrast, the present invention employing molecular iodine, whether complexed or not, offers methods and compositions for the protection of plants and / or crops against pests harmful only to plants and / or crops while simultaneously not harming the plant and / or the crop. The use of organic iodides to control plant pathogens has already been reported; see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 3,615,745, 4,977,186 and 5,071,479. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,518,692 to Grech et al. discloses that methyl iodide can be applied to stored crops, such as grains, or directly on the ground as a spraying agent (in a manner analogous to the use of methyl bromide) outside the planting season when the soil is inactive to control or eliminate pathogenic organisms for plants such as nematodes, fungi and weeds. The methyl component of methyl iodide is the active component with the iodide serving only as a convenient leaving group. For example, the removal of the iodide anion from methyl iodide in the presence of sulfur results in the methylation of sulfur. In general such treatments involve exposures for short periods at relatively high concentrations of an organic iodide to effect a control or rapid elimination of the pathogenic organism. If organic iodide is applied to fumigate the soil, the material is applied while no desirable plants and / or crops are found to avoid killing them. However, since organic iodides have a relatively high volatility and dissipate rapidly, they can not provide long-term protection to plants or crops. In addition, organic iodides, such as methyl iodide, are highly toxic compounds that can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and contact with the skin; therefore, strict precautions are required to avoid the exposure of human beings. In contrast, molecular iodine does not have the high volatility or high toxicity to humans of organic iodides.

Japanese patent application JP 61-183202 A discloses the spraying of an aqueous solution consisting of 1-3% citric acid and 0.2% iodine on the surface of the leaves and stems of field crops to control the damage caused by pests and diseases. However, the types of crops protected and the amount of solution to be applied to the crops are not disclosed. In addition, apart from a general reference to bacteria, the types of pests and controlled diseases are not disclosed. This reference indicates that citric acid is the effective component against bacteria and pests. This reference also discloses that the effect of the iodine component is the promotion of healthy plant growth. The use of molecular iodine, without a co-additive of organic acid required and optionally with a vehicle, for the protection of plants and / or crops against pests of plants and / or crops has not been previously disclosed. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for protecting a selected agricultural substance within the group consisting of plants, crops, harvested crops and mixtures thereof, against pests harmful to the agricultural substance. The method comprises the selection of a composition that includes molecular iodine or that, when applied, generates or releases molecular iodine under normal conditions of use and applying the composition to the agricultural substance the number of times necessary per year in an effective amount to avoid substantial damage to the agricultural substance caused by pests. Optionally, at least one additive may be included in the composition that includes the primary active ingredient, molecular iodine, the additive selected from the group consisting of secondary active ingredients and inert ingredients, provided that the additive is not an organic acid. The secondary active ingredient can be a herbicide, a fungicide, a nematicide, an insecticide or a substance for fumigation. The inert ingredient can be a fertilizer or a component of fertilizer, a nutrient or a micronutrient, a promoter, a polyaspartate, biomass, a surfactant, an emulsifier, an oil, an aromatic substance, a wax, a salt, a preservative or a I last.

The composition can < The composition can be applied in several ranges according to the agricultural substance to which the composition is allocated, according to the climate and time of the year, among other actors, at least a part of the plant. , which may consist of fruits, vegetables or flowers, may be covered before application of the composition to avoid contact with the composition, particularly in citrus plants, pecans, peanuts, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape, citrus, banana , peach, nectarine, apple, tomato and coffee, pine trees, wheat, pecan nuts, peanuts, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, citrus fruits, bananas, peaches, nectarines, apples, tomatoes, coffee beans, flowers and products of Softwood can be protected against pests by applying the composition of the present invention, A further embodiment of the present invention focuses on a protective composition for agricultural substances. so that it comprises molecular iodine or that, when applied, generates or releases molecular iodine under normal conditions of use. Optionally, at least one additive may be included in the protective composition, the additive is selected from the group consisting of secondary active ingredients and inert ingredients, provided that the additive is not an organic acid. The protective composition may further comprise a vehicle. 8 present in the form of a liquid or gas. The liquid carrier may be selected from the group consisting of water, alcohols, oils used for the formulation of agricultural spray emulsions and mixtures thereof. The gaseous vehicle can be selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, inert gases and mixtures thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "molecular iodine" includes Both I2 and any composition or complex of ionic iodine comprising, generates or releases I2. Preferably, the molecular iodine comprises I2. More preferably, the molecular iodine is I2. When used here the term "iodine complex" is defined as a complex comprising elemental iodine and a complexing agent for iodine. Iodine complexes consist of ionic iodine complexes and non-ionic iodine complexes. When used here, the term "ionic iodine complex" is defined as an ion complex, that is, comprising elemental iodine and a type I or type II complexing agent for iodine that is capable of releasing molecular iodine, i.e., iodine that can be titrated with a solution of sodium thiosulfate. A standard method for titration of iodine with sodium thiosulfate is provided in the text "Reagent Éieipicals," (Reactive Chemical Substances), 8ava. edition, American Chemical Society (Editor), 1993, page 383. * j £ kj > The ionic iodine complex may, in particular, be generic in situ or before mixing with a vehicle. As used herein, a "complexing agent of type I" is represented by M + I. "A complexing agent of type I forms an ionic iodine complex, which is inorganic and which is represented by M + I_2n + ?, in the following way: M + I ~ + n I2 ^ M + r2n + 1 (1) where M + is a cation, and n is number in such a way that n D 1. The ionic iodine compounds are prepared typically by mixing an iodide salt (MI) or a hydriodic acid with iodine, preferably, M is selected from the group including Li +, Na +, K +, NH4 +, H +, 1/2 Ca2 +, 1/2 Fe2 + and mixtures thereof As used herein, the term "a type II complexing agent" refers to an organic iodide represented by [RL] + .sup.- The positively charged portion of the complexing agent of type II comprises an amine, a sulfide or a sulfoxide, represented by R, and is substituted by a substituent L. A formative agent ion of complexes of type II forms a complex of ionic iodine, which is organic and which is represented by [RL] + I "2n + ?, in the following manner: [RL] + r + n I2 ^ [RL] + I" 2n + 1 (2) wherein L is hydrogen or a linear, branched or cyclic alkyl cation, comprising from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms formed by the removal of an iodo anion from an alkyl iodide; and n is a number such that n D 1. These ionic iodine complexes are typically prepared by: (1) the mixture of R with an alkyl iodide (Ll) and iodine, (2) the mixture of R with hydriodic acid and iodine, or (3) the mixture R with an acid, iodide salt (MI) and iodine. Preferably, R is a primary, secondary or tertiary amine, a sulfide or a sulfoxide. More preferably, R is selected from the group including methylamine, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, aniline, dimethylamine, diethanolamine, cyclopentylamine, triethylamine, triethanolamine, pyridine, poly-4-vinylpyridine, piperidine, piperazine, methylpyrrolidine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sulfur Dimethyl, dimethyl sulfoxide and mixtures thereof. Preferably, L is hydrogen or a linear alkyl cation comprising from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms formed by the removal of an iodo anion from an alkyl iodide. More preferably L is hydrogen.

As used herein, the term "non-ionic iodine complexes" is defined as an organic complex, ie, comprises elemental iodine and a type III complexing agent for iodine. Iodophors as well as starch-iodine complexes are examples of non-ionic iodine complexes. As used herein, a "type III complexing agent", represented by R ', is an organic material capable of complexing with iodine. A complexing agent of type III forms a complex of non-ionic iodine, which is usually organic and which is represented by R '* I2n +? as follows: R '+ I2 ^ R'-I2 (3) Examples of materials useful as R' include starch, methylamine, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, aniline, dimethylamine, diethanolamine, cyclopentylamine, triethylamine, triethanolamine, pyridine, poly -4-vinylpyridine, piperidine, piperazine, methylpyrrolidine and polyvinylpyrrolidone. These nonionic complexes are typically prepared by mixing R 'with iodine. Mechanisms by which compositions or complexes of ionic iodine can generate or release molecular iodine include, but are not limited to: (1) the combination of an iodate with a reducing agent, (2) the exposure of an iodide to a source of photons , for example sunlight, (3) the combination of an iodide and an oxidant at a pH of 7 or less, , at ~? a to (4) the addition of a ca | l & sa to (3), and (5) to release iodine from a complex of ionic iodine. Suitable iodates include, but are not limited to, potassium iodate, calcium iodate, sodium iodate and iodic acid. Reducing agents include, but are not limited to, formic acid and a combination of hydrogen and a catalyst. Iodides include, but are not limited to, organic iodides such as Kl, Nal and Hl; alkyl iodides, for example, ethyl iodide; and aromatic iodides, such as, for example, iodobenzene. Oxidants include, but are not limited to, iodates, chlorates, nitrates, peroxides and oxygen. Catalysts include, but are not limited to, molybdenum, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium and copper. Complexing agents include type I complexing agents, type II complexing agents and mixtures thereof. Preferred type I complex formation agents include Li +, Na +, K +, NH4 +, H +, 1/2 Ca2 +, 1/2 Fe2 + and mixtures thereof. Preferred Type II complexing agents include methylamine, ethanolamine, ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, aniline, dimethylamine, diethanolamine, cyclopentylamine, triethylamine, triethanolamine, pyridine, poly-4-vinylpyridine, piperidine, piperazine, methylpyrrolidine, polyvinylpyrrolidone and mixtures thereof. same. Although we do not wish to be limited to any particular theory, in the present invention it is believed that molecular iodine is the primary active ingredient of a protective material that can be applied to plants and / or crops or in the vicinity of plants and / or crops and therefore protects plants and / or crops against harmful pests. As used herein, the term "pesticide" is in accordance with that defined in 40 C.F.R. § 152.3 (s) (1996), that is, any substance or mixture of substances intended to prevent, destroy, retain or mitigate any pest, or intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant except for substances specifically excluded in 40 CFR § 152.3 (s) (1 to 3). As used herein, the term "active ingredient" is in accordance with that defined in 40 C.F.R. § 152.3 (b) (1996), that is, any substance that prevents, destroys, repels or mitigates any pest, or that functions as a plant regulator, defoliant or desiccant. As used herein, the active ingredients consist of primary active ingredients and secondary active ingredients. In addition, the term "primary active ingredient" as used herein, refers to molecular iodine. Also as used herein, the term "secondary active ingredient" includes all active ingredients other than molecular iodine. As used herein, the term "pest (s)" for plants and / or crops are pests defined at 40 C.F.R. § 152.5 (1996), that is, vertebrate animals other than human beings, invertebrate animals, plants that grow where they are not desired and fungi, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms except those specifically excluded in 40 C.F.R. § 152.5 (d). Typical pests of plants and / or crops against which the compositions according to the present invention are effective for the protection of said plants and / or crops include, but are not limited to, fungi, nematodes, bacteria and insects which are harmful to the plants and / or crops. Some particular non-limiting applications for these compositions include their use to protect: banana harvested against Verticillium theabromae, Gloeosporium musarum and Fusarium (which cause crown rot), banana plants against Mycosphaerella musicola and Mycosphaerella fijiensis (which cause foliar fungal disease black sigatoca) ), grape plants against Botrytis cinerea, Uncinula necator and Rhizopus, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and other fences against Botrytis, Altermaria, Rhizoctonia and Mycosphaerella, citrus plants against Colletotrichum musae and Phytophthora spp. (which cause gray rot), - pear trees against P. Syringae pv. Syringae, apple trees and ^ imi ^ € against Phytophthora spp. (P. Cactorum, P. Capsici Leon_É? a), - vegetables, wheat apple trees against Pythium (P. Ultimum, P. Sylvaticum, - vegetables against Aphanomyces, - maize against the European Corn Weevil, maize plants against Corn Rootworm, celery plants against Septoria apticola, almond, peach and nectarine trees against Monilia, Sciertinia, Botrytis, Rhizopus and Pseudomonas syringae pv. Syringae, walnuts against Phymatotrichum omnivorum and Xanthomonas campestris pv. Jugandis, pecan nut trees against Mycosphaerella, - peanut plants against Cercospora Spp., rice plants against Rhizoctonia Spp., Helminthosporium oryzae, Cercospora oryzae, Rhyncosporium oryzae, Sarocladium oryzae and Entyloma oryzae, barley plants against Helminthosporium Teres, - wheat plants against Erisiphe graminis, Helminthosporium Teres and Gaeumannomyces graminis var wheat tritici against the Russian Wheat Acid, flower bulbs and strawberries against Scleronum rolfsii, flore s and ornamental plants against Botrytys, Altermaria, Rhizoctonia and Scletortinia, tomato, pepper, fres s as well as white wine against Fusarium, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (fusarium wilt), ^ white wine against Cylindro cladium spp., radiata pine tree against Dothistroma septospora, trees against Gipsy Moth, rubber trees against Mycrocyclus, coffee plants against Hemileia Vastratix and Cercospora coffeicola, cotton against cotton weevil , cotton worm and cotton bug, cotton and corn against the corn cotton worm (also known as corn worm), cotton, vegetables and ornamental plants against the whitefly, and - potatoes and tomatoes against the potato bug of colorado. As used herein, the term "plant" is defined as any photosynthetic, multicellular eukaryotic organism of the plant kingdom, which characteristically produces embryos, which contains chloroplasts, which has walls of cellulose cells, and which has no displacement capacity. Plants can be protected by the compositions herein include, without limitation, plants that produce grains, such as rice, barley and wheat; plants that produce u * 1¡ | S- / such as, for example, pecan and almond trees as well as peanut plants; plants that carry fruit, such as citrus plants, banana, strawberry, blueberry and blackberry, trees that carry peach, nectarine, pear and apples as well as grapes; vegetable plants such as celery, tomato, corn, potato, and pepper; trees, and particularly pine trees, such as radiata pine, and white pine; olive trees; oil palm trees; rubber trees; coffee plants, cotton plants, ornamental plants, flowers; as well as plants that produce bulbs and flower. Preferably, the plants protected by the compositions of the present invention are wheat, pecan nut, peanut, strawberry, blackberry, cranberry, grape, citrus, banana, peach, nectarines, apple, tomato and coffee plants, flowers and pine trees . As used herein, the term "crop" includes cultivated plants or agricultural products. The crops can be grown for example for use as food, drug or industrial use. Cultures that can be protected by the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, vegetables, for example, tomatoes, pepper, corn, potatoes, celery; grains such as rice, barley, wheat, nuts such as almonds, pecan nuts, peanuts; and fruit. Other examples of crops that may be protected by the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, cocoa, sugar cane, sugar beet, coffee beans, rubber latex, cotton and flower bulbs. As used herein, the term "fruit" encompasses an edible ovary, usually sweet and meaty, of a plant bearing seeds or of a structure carrying spores of a plant that does not carry seeds. Thus, the fruits are a subclass of plant crops or products. The fruits that can be protected by the molecular iodine of the present invention include, but are not limited to, bananas, peaches, nectarines, pears, apples, citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, lemons and limes, and fences such as strawberries, blackberries and cranberry. As used herein, the term "harvested crop" refers to a crop that has been removed from the plant from which it was derived. Picked fruit as well as stored grain are examples of harvested crops. Preferably, the harvested crops protected by the compositions according to the present invention are wheat, pecan nut, peanuts, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, citrus fruits, bananas, peaches, nectarines, apples, tomatoes, coffee, flowers and products of softwood, for example pinewood. As used herein, the term "agricultural substance" includes plants, crops, harvested crops and mixtures thereof. Optimally, of the present invention comprising iodine molecui | W¡§Éfc'e apply to a readily determined level person with certain knowledge in the field that is sufficient to protect plants and / or crops, that is, to avoid substantial damage caused by harmful pests (without necessarily eliminating pests, however) without causing substantial damage to the plant or crop. The effective amount of molecular iodine that is applied to protect plant and / or culture depends on several well-known factors of a person with certain knowledge in the field of the application of pesticides, for example, of the type of plant and / or culture, of the conditions of the climate, the time of year, the soil and the plague (s). In the present invention, the effective amount of molecular iodine applied to plants for protection against harmful pests for such plants is within a range of at least 0.1 gram per acre of plants to approximately 10,000 grams per acre of plants, preferably from at least about 0.1 gram per acre to about 100 grams per acre of plants, and especially at least about 1 gram per acre to about 10 grams per acre of plants. The effective amount of molecular iodine applied to harvested crops, for the protection of such crops against pests harmful to crops, is within a range of at least approximately 0.01 gram per metric ton of crop harvested to approximately 5,000 grams per ton harvested crop metric, preferably from at least about 0.1 grams per metric ton to about 50 grams per metric ton of harvested crop, and especially from at least about 1 gram per metric ton to about 10 grams per metric ton of crop harvested. The molecular iodine can be used either alone, for example in gaseous form to treat harvested grapes, or it can be combined with at least one optional additive before it is applied to plants and / or crops for protection. The additive may be present, for example, in the form of a secondary active ingredient. Secondary active ingredients can be, for example, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides and fumigating agents. Preferred active secondary ingredients include, but are not limited to, the BACARÁ and RAFT (available from Rhone Poulenc), BRONCO, ACCORD and AVADEX herbicides (available at Monsanto); the fungicides FONGRAL, ARBITRE and SOLITZ (available at Rhone Poulenc); the insecticides FIPRONIL (available at Rhone Poulenc); and the spraying agents chloropicrin, VAPAM and BENSAMID. * *, # - _ - • * - - - - In an additional mode? §¡ | faith; * The optional additive can be an inert ingredient. As used herein, the term defined in 40 C.F.R. § other than an active ingredient that is intentionally included in a pesticide product. Preferably, the inert ingredient comprises a vehicle. In this embodiment, the molecular iodine is added to the vehicle before application in plants and / or crops. This serves three purposes. First, the addition of molecular iodine to the vehicle allows the distribution of a small amount of molecular iodine * over a large surface area. Second, other inert ingredients, which are beneficial to protect plants and crops or growth, can be added to the vehicle and distributed together with the molecular iodine. Third, to facilitate the application, the protective agent composition can be prepared as a molecular iodine concentrate, and any desired optional inert ingredients, in a vehicle, and then further diluted before application. The vehicle is usually present at the highest percentage level compared to any of the present ingredients. The vehicle may be present in the form of a solid, a liquid or a gas; however, liquid and gaseous vehicles are preferred. Preferred gaseous vehicles include, but are not limited to, air, nitrogen, inert gases (i.e., helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon) and mixtures thereof. When selecting a liquid vehicle it can be aqueous, organic, inorganic, nonionic, cationic, anionic, or a mixture, emulsion or suspension, or any combination thereof. Preferred liquid carriers include, but are not limited to, water, alcohols and oils used in the formulation of agricultural spray emulsions suitable for use in plants and / or crops, and mixtures thereof. Some examples of liquid vehicles include nonylphenol; alpha-alkyl-omega-hydroxypoly (oxoethylene), wherein the alkyl group comprises from 12 to 15 carbon atoms; and the ORCHEX 796 and ORCHEX 692 harvest oils produced by Esso, a company of the EXXON group. Inert ingredient (s) other than the vehicle may also be found together with the molecular iodine and other optional additive (s). These inert ingredients include, but are not limited to, fertilizers, fertilizer components, nutrients, nitronutrients, promoters (ie, molecular iodine activity, such as methylparaben and propylparaben), polyaspartates, biomass, surfactants, emulsifiers, oils, aromatic substances, waxes, salts, preservatives and iodides. It is desirable that the inert ingredient does not contain organic acid. As used herein, the term "organic acid" is defined as an aliphatic hydra3Bebppo interrupted by heteroatoms, unsubstituted by heteroatoms and unsubstituted by functional groups other than " and by at least one carboxylic group, i.e., -COOH. Organic acids include monocarboxylic acids, such as for example alkanoic acids of formula CnH2n02 and alkenoic acids of molecular formula CnH2n-202, dicarboxylic acids, for example, maleic acid and prostanoic acid, as well as tricarboxylic acids such as citric acid, but not other derivatives such as anhydrides and esters, and are further described in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd. edition, 4: 814-869 (1978). While we do not wish to be bound by any particular theory, the combination of molecular iodine with a nutrient and / or a micronutrient can increase the protective effect of molecular iodine. Preferred inert ingredients, other than vehicles, include, but are not limited to, promoters; nutrients for vegetables, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc; emulsifiers; surfactants, for example, oligomers of nonylphenol and alkyl polyglycoside, for example, GLUCOPON® surfactants (available at Henkel); and mixtures thereof. The molecular iodine, in the form of any of the modalities described above, can be applied to plants and / or crops in the pre-harvest or post-harvest stage in order to obtain the desired level of protection against pests. For example, the application is typically achieved by spraying the plants from the ground or from the air. As for the roots of the plants, which are generally not exposed to receive atmospheric sprays, the application can be carried out directly or indirectly, for example by spraying the surrounding soil with the protective composition, thus allowing it to penetrate through the soil until reaching the roots. In addition, applications on plants and / or crops can be carried out the necessary number of times per year in order to maintain the desired level of protection against pests. The effective amount of molecular iodine applied in each application can vary, as is well known to a person with certain knowledge in the field of pesticide application. The plant and / or crop protection compositions of the present invention may be applied by any convenient method, for example, by the use of a fixed application system such as a center pivot irrigation system. Preferably, the application to the fields of plants and / or crops is carried out by air spraying, that is, from an aircraft or helicopter, or by terrestrial spraying. For example, terrestrial spraying can • • • r a high flotation applicator equipped with a davit, by means of a shoulder spray device or by means of trucks or feed tanks. Optionally, the application can be carried out in plants with fruits, leaves and / or protected flowers, for example through paper and plastic bags. The following examples are provided to illustrate the preparation of protective compositions for plants and / or crops, comprising molecular iodine as the ingredient primary asset. The following examples are for purposes of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any way. EXAMPLES 15 The individual components in the following examples are listed as parts by weight. The plant and crop protection compositions of Examples 1 and 2 are in concentrated form and require the appropriate dilution as you could easily determine a person with certain knowledge in the field before the application on plants and / or crops. Example 1: Composition 1 of plant and crop protection 2.5 parts of I2, 1.25 parts of Kl, 10 parts of 85% by weight phosphoric acid, 1 part of methylparaben and 1 /. 25 part of propylparaben to a vehicle of 32.5 parts of alpha-alkyl-omega-hydroxypoly (oxoethylene), wherein the alkyl group comprises 12 to 15 carbon atoms, and 54.25 parts of water to form a total of 100 parts of composition 1 of protection of plants and crops. Example 2: Plant and crop protection composition 2 25 parts of I2, 12.5 parts of Kl, 10 parts of methylparaben, 10 parts of propylparaben, 10 parts of magnesium sulfate, 112 parts of 85% by weight phosphoric acid are added. , 100 parts of potassium nitrate, 87.5 parts of urea, 2 parts of polyvinylpyrrolidone and 25 parts of vegetable microelements chelated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (CHAMPION FOLIAR QUELATOS® available in SQM Nitrates) to a vehicle of 300 parts of nonylphenol and 472 parts of water to achieve a total of 1,166 parts of composition 2 of protection for plants and crops. The following examples illustrate methods for diluting and applying the protective compositions for plants and cultures containing iodine formed in accordance with the present invention. Example 3: Application of protection composition 1 for plant and culture on vines (before harvest) The protection solution of plants and crops of composition 1 was diluted as follows before application: 0.5 parts of composition 1, 5 parts of oil (ORCHEX®) and 30 ||| gt: is of water. The diluted protective mixture was applied at a rate of 14 liters per acre of vines, on all the portions of the plants exposed to the atmosphere, at a previous stage the harvest to protect the plants against Botrytis cinerea. The effective molecular iodine coverage was 5.1 grams per acre of vines. Selected sections of vines were sprayed with a similar solution whose only difference was that it did not contain I2; These sections were designated as control groups. The solutions were applied in the aforementioned regime a total of 5 times from the beginning of flowering until thirty days before harvest. The vines sprayed with the protection solution of composition 1 containing molecular iodine showed no signs of disease, in particular Botrytis cinerea, unlike the control group that presented a high level of disease. Example 4: Application of protection composition 1 for plants and crops on orange tree (before harvesting) The plant and crop protection solution of composition 1 was diluted as follows before application: 0.2 parts of composition 1 and 1000 water parts. The diluted protection mixture was applied at a rate of 900 liters per acre to orange trees, primarily to the leaves, fruit and stems, in the pre-harvest stage, in order to protect the plants against Colletotrichum musae and .2 »Phytophthora spp. . that cause gray mold. The effective coverage of molecular iodine was 4.5 grams per acre of orange. The protective mixture was applied in the aforementioned regime four times during the pre-harvest period. Water was applied, without fine composition, in the same way to a control group, the orange trees sprayed with the protective solution of composition 1 did not show signs of gray mold, however, the plants in the control group were affected in a similar way. important for gray mold. Example 5: application of protection composition 2 for plants and crops on plantain plants (before harvest) The protection solution for plants and crops of composition 2 was diluted as follows before application: 0.25 part of the composition 2, 0.12 part of emulsifier (the nonionic emulsifier TRITON X-45® available from Rohm &Haas), 12 parts of oil (ORCHEX®) and 3 parts of water. The diluted protective mixture was applied at a rate of 6.0 liters per acre to the leaves and stems of plantain plants in a pre-harvest stage in order to protect the plants against fungal foliar disease, black sigatoca, caused by Mycosphaerella musicola and Mycosphaerella. fijiensis. During the application, all groups of developing bananas were covered with bags before the application of the diluted protective solution 2. < * Effective coverage 53 grams per acre of banana plants. Sections selected from banana plants were sprayed with a similar solution, the control composition, B 'only difference being that it did not contain I2. These sections were designated control group. The protection and control compositions were applied in the aforementioned regime to banana plants, before and after flowering, every 15 days during the rainy season, and every 21 days during the rainy season. dry season. Banana plants sprayed with protection solution 2, which contains molecular iodine, showed no signs of infection by fungal foliar black sigatoca disease, however, banana plants in the control group were severely infected with black sigatoca. Example 6: Application of protection composition 1 for plants and crops to harvested bananas (after harvest) The protection solution for plants and crops of Composition 1 was diluted as follows before its application: 0.1 part of composition 1 and 20 parts of water. The mixture was applied once, at a rate of 22 liters per metric ton, to bananas harvested for protection against corona rot caused by Verticillium theabromae, Gloeosporium musarum and Fusarium. The effective amount of molecular iodine that was applied was 2.8 grams per metric ton of bananas. Control groups were sprayed with a similar solution whose only difference is that it did not contain I2. After an average of two weeks, the banana control groups showed signs of crown rot, however, the bananas sprayed with the protective solution 1, which contains molecular iodine, did not show crown rot. While the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments and illustrative examples, it will be understood that a person with certain knowledge in the art can, after reading the above specification, make various changes, substitutions of equivalents and modifications to the described methods and compositions. here. Accordingly, the purpose is that the scope of the invention is not limited to reference to the illustrative examples. On the contrary, the scope of the present invention is considered with reference to the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. A method for protecting an agricultural substance against harmful pests for agricultural agriculture, said method comprises: selecting a composition comprising molecular iodine or else, when applied, releasing molecular iodine; and apply the composition to the agricultural substance, the necessary number of times per year in an effective amount to avoid substantial damage to the agricultural substance by said pests. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the selection of the agricultural substance within a group consisting of crops, harvested crops and mixtures thereof. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising applying the composition by spraying. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the selection of plants as an agricultural substance, and the application of a sufficient amount of the composition to said plants in such a way that the result is the application of at least about 0.1 gram. from molecular iodine per acre of plants to approximately 10,000 grams of molecular iodine per acre of plants. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the coating of at least a portion of said plants which are selected within the group consisting of fruit, green part and flowers before application of the composition to avoid contact with the composition. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the choice of the plant within the group consisting of wheat plants, pecan nut, peanut, strawberry, blackberry, blueberry, grape, citrus, banana, peach, nectarine, apple, tomato and coffee, flowers and pines. The method according to claim 4, further comprising applying a sufficient amount of the composition to said plants in such a manner as to result in the application of at least about 0.1 gram of molecular iodine per acre of plants to about 100 grams of molecular iodine per acre of plants. The method according to claim 7, further comprising applying a sufficient amount of the composition to said plants in such a manner that results in the application of at least about 1 gram of molecular iodine per acre of plants to about 10 grams of molecular iodine per acre of plants. & * } - € ** "X" "9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising selecting the crops harvested with an agricultural substance, and applying the sufficient amount of the composition for said crops harvested in such a manner. that results in the application of at least approximately 0.01 gram of molecular iodine per metric ton of harvested crops to approximately 5,000 grams of molecular iodine per metric ton of harvested crops. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the choice of crop harvested within the group consisting of wheat, pecan nut, peanuts, strawberries, blackberry, cranberry, grapes, citrus fruits, bananas, peaches, nectarines, apples, tomatoes, coffee, flowers and softwood products. The method according to claim 9, further comprising applying a sufficient amount of the composition to said harvested crops in such a manner as to result in the application of at least about 0.1 gram of molecular iodine per metric ton of harvested crops. to approximately 50 grams of molecular iodine per metric ton of harvested crops.

2. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the application of a sufficient amount - - f & * í - «* ^" 'X' 34 of the composition of diced crops harvested in such a manner as to result in the application of at least about 1 gram of molecular iodine per metric ton of harvested crops to approximately 10 5 grams of molecular iodine per metric ton of harvested crops. 13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the addition of at least one additive to the composition, the additive is selected from the group that 10 consists of secondary active ingredients and inert ingredients, provided that the additive is not an organic acid. 14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the selection of the active ingredient Secondary from the group consisting of herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides and fumigation agents. 15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising selecting the inert ingredient to 20 from the group consisting of vehicles, fertilizers, fertilizer components, nutrients, micronutrients, promoters, polyaspartates, biomass, surfactants, emulsifiers, oils, aromatic substances, waxes, salts, preservatives and iodides. 16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising selecting the inert ingredient within the group consisting of methylparaben, propylparaben, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, nonylphenol, alkyl polyglycoside oligomers and mixtures thereof. 17. The method according to claim 13, further comprising selecting the inert ingredient to be a liquid carrier. The method of claim 17, comprising selecting the liquid vehicle within the group consisting of water, alcohols, oils used in the formulation of agricultural spray emulsions and mixtures thereof. 19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising selecting an inert ingredient such that it is a gaseous vehicle. The method according to claim 19, further comprising selection of the gaseous vehicle within the group consisting of air, nitrogen, inert gases and mixtures thereof. 1. A method for the protection of a selected agricultural substance within the group consisting of plants, crops, harvested crops, and mixtures thereof, against pests that are harmful to the agricultural substance, comprising: the selection of a composition that includes molecular iodine or else, when applied, releases molecular iodine and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of secondary active ingredients as well as inert ingredients, provided that the additive is not an organic acid; and the application of the composition to the agricultural substance the number of times necessary per year in an effective amount to prevent substantial damage to the agricultural substance caused by these pests. 22. A protection composition for agricultural substances that comprises molecular iodine or that, when applied, releases molecular iodine. 23. The protection composition according to claim 22, further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of secondary active ingredients as well as inert ingredients, provided that the additive is not an organic acid. The protection composition according to claim 23, wherein the additive further comprises at least one secondary active ingredient selected from the group consisting of herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides and fumigants. 25. The protection composition in accordance with "X 37 claim 23, wherein the additive further comprises at least one inert ingredient selected from the group consisting of carriers, fertilizers, fertilizer components, nutrients, micronutrients, promoters, polyaspartates, biomass, surfactants, emulsifiers, oils, aromatic substances, waxes, salts, preservatives and iodides. 26. The protection composition according to claim 25, wherein the inert ingredient is 10 selects from the group consisting of methylparaben, propylparaben, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, nonylphenol, alkyl polyglycoside oligomers and mixtures thereof. 27. The protection composition according to claim 23, further comprising a liquid vehicle. 28. The protection composition according to claim 27, wherein the liquid carrier is selected 20 within the group consisting of water, alcohols, oils used in the formulation of agricultural spray emulsions, as well as mixtures thereof. 29. The protection composition according to claim 23, further comprising a vehicle 25 gaseous. 30. The protection composition according to claim 29, wherein the gaseous carrier is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen, inert gases and mixtures thereof. 31. A protection composition for agricultural substances comprising molecular iodine or which, when applied, releases molecular iodine and at least one additive selected from the group consisting of secondary active ingredients as well as inert ingredients, provided that the additive 10 is not an organic acid. fifteen twenty SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Molecular iodine, or an ionic iodine complex composition containing, generates, or releases molecular iodine, is used alone or mixed with a vehicle for use as a protector for plants and crops. Secondary active ingredients, fertilizers, nutrients, micronutrients, promoters, polyaspartates, biomass, surfactants, emulsifiers, oils, aromatic substances, waxes, salts, preservatives, herbicides, fungicides, nematicides, insecticides, fumigation agents and iodides are optionally added to the vehicle for additional benefit of the plant. The molecular iodine and the desired beneficial additive (s) are applied directly on the plants and / or crops in order to protect the plants and / or crops against pests such as, for example, example, fungi, nematodes, bacteria and insects, which are harmful to plants and / or crops.