GB2532955B

GB2532955B - Method for controlling nematodes and improving plant growth

Info

Publication number: GB2532955B
Application number: GB1421381.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timothy Bristow James
Original assignee: Rotam Agrochem International Co Ltd
Current assignee: Rotam Agrochem International Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-02
Filing date: 2014-12-02
Publication date: 2019-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-02
Also published as: GB2532955A; AR102565A1; WO2016086727A1; TWI714542B; BR102015030206A2; GB201421381D0; CN105638701B; TW201628500A; CN105638701A

Description

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING NEMATODES AND IMPROVING PLANT GROWTH

The present disclosure relates to a nematicidal composition. The presentinvention relates to a method for controlling nematodes, including Pratylenchus zeae,Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyneincognita, Heterodera glycines, Rotylenchulus reniformis nematodes, and improving thegrowth of plants and/or plant parts.

Nematodes are small worms which are almost transparent and invisible to thenaked eye. Nemotades are generally from 0.3 to 3.0 millimeters in length. Althoughnematodes are small in size, they cause about 12% of the annual losses to agriculturalproduction, which corresponds to millions of dollars in lost crops (SASSER & FRECKMAN,1987). Nematodes typically feed on the roots or shoots of plants. They reduceabsorption and transportation of water and nutrients. A range of plants can be host tonematodes, including such crops as sugarcane, soybean, corn, coffee, and cotton.Nematodes attack in the field in the form of spots/coppices and rarely spread throughoutthe field. The plants being attacked by nematodes may show symptoms of nutritionaldeficiency and reduced or slower development than healthy plants. Sampling andcarrying out laboratorial analyses of soil and roots are required for confirmation of theexistence of nematodes.

Current methods for controlling nematodes are very limited. One example of acommonly applied treatment is exposing infested soil to heat by the use of steam.However, steam treatment is technically difficult and costly for general application in thefield.

Accordingly, there is a significant need for an improved technique for controllingnematodes in crops, in particular a nematicidal composition and a method of controllingnematodes, as well as other plant pests and pathogens. It would be an advantage if thenematicidal composition is easy to use and less costly to produce and employ than knowntreatment techniques.

It has now surprisingly been found that thiodicarb exhibits high activity incontrolling a range of nematodes in plants, including such nematodes as Pratylenchuszeae, Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyneincognita, Heterodera glycines, Rotylenchulus reniformis nematodes. It has been found that thiodicarb is particularly effective in controlling nematodes in non-transgenic plants,such as sugarcane, soybean, cotton, corn and coffee. Moreover, a nematicidalcomposition comprising thiodicarb has been found to improve the growth of plants and/orplant parts.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a nematicidalcomposition for controlling nematodes in plants, the composition comprising thiodicarb.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides the use of thiodicarb in thecontrol of nematodes in plants.

The present invention provides a method for controlling nematodes in plants at alocus and improving plant growth comprising applying to the locus thiodicarb, whereinthiodicarb is applied to the locus at an application rate of from 100 to 3000 g/ha.

Further still, the present disclosure provides a method of improving the growth ofplants or parts thereof comprising applying to the plants or parts thereof thiodicarb.

The present disclosure further provides the use of thiodicarb to improve the growthof plants or parts thereof.

Thiodicarb, having a chemical name of 3,7,9,13-tetramethyl-5,11-dioxa-2,8,14-trithia-4,7,9,12-tetra-azapentadeca-3,12-diene-6,10-dione, is one of the carbamateshaving the following chemical structure:

Thiodicarb as an insecticide was reported by A. A. Sousa et al. (J. Econ. Entomol.,1977, 70, 803) and reviewed by H. S. Yang & D. E. Thurman (Proc. Br. Crop Prot. Conf. -Pests Dis., 1981, 3, 687).

"Plant" as used herein, refers to all plant and plant populations such as desiredand undesired wild plants, crop plants, non-transgenic plants, but does not includetransgenic plants. "Plant parts" as used herein, refers to all parts and organs of plants, such asshoots, leaves, needles, stalks, stems, fruit bodies, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers andrhizomes. Harvested material, and vegetative and generative propagation material, forexample cuttings, tubers, meristem tissue, rhizomes, offsets, seeds, single and multipleplant cells and any other plant tissue, are also included. “Surrounding” as used herein, refers to the place on which the plants are growing,the place on which the plant propagation materials of the plants are sown or the place onwhich the plant propagation materials of the plants will be sown. "Nematodes" as used herein, refer to plant nematodes, that is plant parasiticnematodes that cause damage to plants. Plant nematodes encompass plant parasiticnematodes and nematodes living in the soil. “Improving the growth” or “increase the growth” refers to a measurable amount ofincreased growth of the plant over the growth of the same plant under the same condition,but without the application of the nematicidal composition of the present invention.

The growth of the plant can be increased by at least about 1%, 2%, 4%, 5%, 10%,20%, 50%, 75%, 100%, 150% or 200%, by applying the composition or method of thepresent invention.

Further, the present invention may be used to improve the yield of the plants beingprotected. The yield can be measured by means of, but not limited to, the yield of aproduct; plant weight; fresh weight of the plant or any parts of the plant; dry weight of theplant or any parts of the plant; specific ingredients of the plant including, without limitation,sugar content, starch content, oil content, protein content, vitamin content; leaf area; stemvolume; plant height; shoot height; root length; fresh matter of shoots; fresh matter ofroots; or any methods which are apparent to the person skilled in the art.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a nematicidal compositioncomprising an effective amount of thiodicarb for controlling and combating nematodes inplants. The composition is particularly effective in the control of Pratylenchus zeae,Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyne incognita, Heterodera glycines, Rotylenchulus reniformis nematodes in plants, plant partsand/or their surrounding.

In particular, the present invention provides a method of controlling and combatingnematodes in plants by applying to the plants, plant parts, or their surrounding thiodicarbin a nematicidal amount. As noted above, the method is particularly effective in thecontrol of Pratylenchus zeae, Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus,Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyne incognita, Heterodera glycines, Rotylenchulusreniformis.

Application of the composition or the method of the present invention to plants,plant parts or their surroundings increases the growth and/or yield of the plant.Consequently, the composition and method of the present invention may also beconsidered as being for increasing the growth and/or yield of a plant.

In one embodiment, the plants or their surrounding being treated by the method orcomposition are infested with nematodes, in particular the aforementioned nematodes.

In the present invention, nematodes in plants are controlled by the application ofthiodicarb. Thiodicarb is typically applied by way of a composition. Thiodicarb may bepresent in the composition in any suitable amount. In some embodiments, thiodicarb ispresent in an amount of from about 1 % to about 90 % by weight, preferably from about10 % to about 85 %, more preferably from about 20 % to about 80 %.

The nematicidal composition and the method according to the present inventionare suitable for treating plants of a wide range of crops, including: cereals, for examplewheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, rice, sorghum, triticale and related crops; fruit, such aspomes, stone fruit and soft fruit, for example apples, grapes, pears, plums, peaches,almonds, pistachio, and cherries, and berries, for example strawberries, raspberries andblackberries; leguminous plants, for example beans, lentils, peas, and soybeans;sugarcanes; oil plants, for example rape, mustard, and sunflowers; cucurbitaceae, forexample marrows, cucumbers, and melons; fibre plants, for example cotton, flax, hemp,and jute; citrus, for example calamondin, citrus citron, citrus hybrids, including chironja,tangelo, and tangor, grapefruit, kumquat, lemon, lime, mandarin (tangerine), sour orange,sweet orange, pummelo, and satsuma mandarin; vegetables, for example spinach, lettuce,asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and paprika; coffee; as well as ornamentals, such as flowers, for example roses, shrubs, broad-leaved trees andevergreens, for example conifers.

In some embodiments, the nematicidal composition and the method of the presentinvention are applied to non-transgenic plants. In certain embodiments, the nematicidalcomposition and the method of the present invention are employed to treat leguminousplants, sugarcanes, fibre plants, cereals and coffee. In some embodiments, thenematicidal composition and the method of the present invention are employed to treatsoybean, sugarcane, cotton, corn and coffee.

In particular, the nematicidal composition and the methods of the present inventionmay be applied in controlling nematodes and other plant pests and pathogens, forexample Pratylenchus zeae, Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus,Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyne incognita, Heterodera glycines, Rotylenchulusreniformis in soybean, sugarcane, cotton, corn and coffee.

The nematicidal composition comprising thiodicarb may optionally comprise one ormore auxiliaries. The auxiliaries employed in the nematicidal composition will dependupon the type of formulation and/or the manner in which the formulation is to be appliedby the end user. Formulations incorporating the nematicidal composition of the presentdisclosure are described hereinafter. Suitable auxiliaries which may be comprised in thecomposition according to the disclosure are all customary formulation adjuvants orcomponents, such as extenders, carriers, solvents, surfactants, stabilizers, anti-foamingagents, anti-freezing agents, preservatives, antioxidants, colorants, thickeners, solidadherents and inert fillers. Such auxiliaries are known in the art and are commerciallyavailable. Their use in the formulation of the compositions of the present disclosure willbe apparent to the person skilled in the art.

The nematicidal composition may comprise one or more inert fillers. Such inertfillers are known in the art and available commercially. Suitable fillers in the form of asolid include, for example, natural ground minerals, such as kaolins, aluminas, talc, chalk,quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite, and diatomaceous earth, or synthetic ground minerals,such as highly dispersed silicic acid, aluminium oxide, silicates, and calcium phosphatesand calcium hydrogen phosphates. Suitable inert fillers for granules include, for example,crushed and fractionated natural minerals, such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite, anddolomite, or synthetic granules of inorganic and organic ground materials, as well as granules of organic material, such as sawdust, coconut husks, corn cobs, and tobaccostalks.

The nematicidal composition may comprise one or more surfactants, which arepreferably non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic in nature, and surfactant mixtures which havegood emulsifying, dispersing and wetting properties, depending on the nature of the activecompound to be formulated. Suitable surfactants are known in the art and arecommercially available. Suitable anionic surfactants can be both so-called water-solublesoaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active compounds. Soaps which may be usedinclude the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or substituted or unsubstituted ammoniumsalts of higher fatty acid (C™ to C22), for example the sodium or potassium salt of oleic orstearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures. The surfactant can be an emulsifier,dispersant or wetting agent of ionic or non-ionic type. Examples which may be used aresalts of polyacrylic acids, salts of lignosulfonic acid, salts of phenylsulphonic ornaphthalenesulphonic acids, polycondensates of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols or withfatty acids or with fatty amines, substituted phenols, especially alkylphenols,sulphosuccinic ester salts, taurine derivatives, especially alkyltaurates, or phosphoricesters of polyethoxylated phenols or alcohols. The presence of at least one surfactant isgenerally required when the active compound and/or the inert carrier and/or anauxiliary/adjuvant are insoluble in water and the vehicle for the final application of thecomposition is water.

The nematicidal composition may comprise one or more polymeric stabilizers.The suitable polymeric stabilizers that may be used include, but are not limited to,polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, copolymers of monoolefins and diolefins,polyacrylates, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethanes or polyamides. Suitablestabilizers are known in the art and are commercially available.

The surfactants and polymeric stabilizers mentioned above are generally believedto impart stability to the composition, in turn allowing the composition to be formulated,stored, transported and applied.

Suitable anti-foam agents for use in the composition include all substances whichcan normally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions. Suitable anti-foamagents are known in the art and are available commercially. Particularly preferred antifoam agents are mixtures of polydimethylsiloxanes and perfluroalkylphosphonic acids,such as the silicone anti-foam agents available from GE or Compton.

Suitable organic solvents may be selected from all customary organic solventswhich thoroughly dissolve the active compounds employed. Again, suitable organicsolvents for the active ingredient are known in the art. The following may be mentionedas being preferred: N-methyl pyrrolidone, N-octyl pyrrolidone, cyclohexyl-1-pyrrolidone; ora mixture of paraffinic, isoparaffinic, cycloparaffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons(commercially available as SOLVESSO™200). Suitable solvents are commerciallyavailable.

Suitable preservatives for use in the composition include all substances which cannormally be used for this purpose in agrochemical compositions of this type and again arewell known in the art. Suitable examples that may be mentioned include PREVENTOL®(from Bayer AG) and PROXEL® (from Bayer AG).

Suitable antioxidants are all substances which can normally be used for thispurpose in agrochemical compositions, as is known in the art. Preference is given tobutylated hydroxytoluene.

Suitable thickeners include all substances which can normally be used for thispurpose in agrochemical compositions, for example xanthan gum, PVOH, cellulose andits derivatives, clay hydrated silicates, magnesium aluminium silicates or a mixture thereof.Again, such thickeners are known in the art and are available commercially.

The nematicidal composition may further comprise one or more solid adherents.Such adherents are known in the art and are available commercially. They includeorganic adhesives, including tackifiers, such as celluloses or substituted celluloses,natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules, or lattices, and inorganicadhesives such as gypsum, silica or cement.

In addition, depending upon the formulation, the composition may also comprisewater.

In some embodiments of the method of the present invention, thiodicarb may beapplied and used in pure form, or, more preferably, together with at least one of theauxiliaries, as described hereinabove.

The nematicidal composition of the present disclosure may be formulated indifferent ways, depending upon the circumstances of its use. Suitable formulation typesare known in the art and include water-soluble concentrates (SL), emulstifiableconcentrates (EC), emulsions (EW), micro-emulsions (ME), oil-based suspensionconcentrates (OD), flowable suspensions (FS), water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), water-dispersible powders (WP), water soluble powders (SP),granules (GR), encapsulated granules (CG), fine granules (FG), macrogranules (GG),aqueous suspo-emulsions (SE), microencapsulated suspensions (CS), microgranules(MG). Preferred formulation types include suspension concentrates (SC) and a water-dispersible granules (WG).

The nematicidal composition of the present disclosure may also comprise otheractive ingredients for achieving specific effects, for example, bactericides, fungicides,insecticides, nematicides, molluscicides or herbicides. Alternatively, thiodicarb may beemployed in the method of the present invention in combination with one or more suchactive ingredients. Suitable compounds for providing the aforementioned activities areknown in the art and are commercially available. The other active ingredients andthiodicarb may be applied together, for example in a single composition as mentionedabove, or separately, for example simultaneously or consecutively, to the surrounding.

In the method of the present invention, thiodicarb, for example by way of thenematicidal composition of the present disclosure, may be applied to the target plant orplant of interest, to one or more plant parts, or to the surrounding thereof.

As noted above, the present invention provides a method of controlling nematodesand other plant pests and pathogens at the surrounding of the plant, comprising applyingto surrounding a nematicidal composition comprising thiodicarb.

As noted above, the use of thiodicarb, for example by way of the aforementionednematicidal composition comprising an effective amount of thiodicarb, is effective inimproving the growth of plants and/or plant parts, in turn increasing the yield of the plants.The method of improving the growth of plants and/or plant parts comprises applying anematicidal composition comprising an effective amount of thiodicarb to the plants, plantparts and/or their surrounding. In some embodiments, the growth is increased/improvedby at least about 5%. In other embodiments, the growth is increased/improved by at least about 10%. In some embodiments, the growth is increased/improved by at least about20%. In certain embodiments, the growth is increased/improved by at least about 50%.

In general, the nematicidal composition may be prepared and applied such thatthe nematicidal composition of thiodicarb is applied at any suitable rate, as demanded bythe locus to be treated. The application rate may vary within wide ranges and dependsupon such factors as the soil constitution, the type of application (foliar application; seeddressing; application in the seed furrow), the target crop plant, the nematodes to becontrolled, the climatic circumstances prevailing in each case, and other factorsdetermined by the type of application, timing of application and target crop. In general,the application rates are from 1 to about 3000 g of thiodicarb per hectare (g/ha), inparticular from 100 to 3000 g/ha, preferably from 200 to 2500 g/ha.

According to the method of the present invention, the nematicidal compositioncomprising thiodicarb may be applied in any suitable form, as described above, andapplied to the locus where control is desired either in single treatment or in a successionof treatments, preferably applied at short intervals, for example on the same day.Preferably, the nematicidal composition is applied a plurality of times, in particular from 2to 5 times, more preferably 3 times.

According to the method of the present invention, the nematicidal compositionmay be applied at any suitable time. In some embodiments of the present invention, thenematicidal composition is applied to the surrounding of the plant prior to planting, duringplanting, or after planting. Such a treatment may take place by conventional methodsknown in the art, for instance, drip-irrigation, spraying, and soil fumigation. In someembodiments, the nematicidal composition is applied to the plant propagation material,such as seeds, for example by seed coating. These application methods andcorresponding application machines are known in the art.

Embodiments of the present invention are now described, for illustrative purposesonly, by way of the following examples. Where not otherwise specified throughout thisspecification and claims, percentages are by weight.

Formulation Examples

Example 1 Water-soluble concentrates (SL)

Thiodicarb, TWEEN®80 and N-methyl pyrrolidone were mixed in the amountsshown in the following table to obtain a homogenous solution.

Example 2 Emulsifiable concentrates (EC)

An emulsifiable concentrate was prepared having the composition set out in thefollowing table:

Example 3 Water-dispersible powders (WP) A water dispersible powder was prepared having the composition in the followingtable:

Example 4 Water-dispersible granules (WG) A water dispersible granule formulation was prepared having followingcomposition summarized in the following table:

With the water-dispersible granule, an aqueous suspension of requiredconcentration was obtained by dilution of the water dispersible granule with anappropriate amount of water.

Example 5 Suspension concentrate (SC)

An aqueous suspension concentrate formulation was prepared having thecomposition set out in the following table:

Example 6 Water-dispersible granules (WG) A water-dispersible granule formulation was prepared having the compositionsummarized in the following table:

Example 7 Water-dispersible granule (WG) A water dispersible granule was prepared having the composition set out in thefollowing table:

Example 8 Flowable seed treatment (FS) A flowable seed treatment was prepared having the composition set out in thefollowing table:

Example 9 Water-dispersible granule (WG) A water dispersible granule was prepared having the composition set out in thefollowing table:

Example 10 Oil-in-water emulsion (EW)

An oil-in-water emulsion formulation was prepared having the composition set outin the following table:

Example 11 Suspension concentrate (SC) A suspension formulation was prepared having the composition set out in thefollowing table:

Biological Examples

Example 1 - Sugarcane - Pratylenchus zeae A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Pratylenchuszeae recovered from sugarcane crops located in PacaembO-State of Sao Paulo-Brazil.The subpopulation was multiplied from corn plants (Zea mays L.) ΌΚΒ 390 PRO' in clayrecipients in a greenhouse. The subpopulation was previously identified based onmorphological characters of adult females mounted in temporary slides by using adicotomic key created by SANTOS et al. (2005). 3 ml. samples of the compositions indicated in Table 1 were applied uniformly onthe soil and around the roots of the sugarcane plants. Thereafter, the roots of thesugarcane plants were inoculated with 10 ml_ of a suspension containing Pratylenchuszeae in various developmental stages, after which the roots were covered with soil. 5replicates were carried out.

Table 1.

After 15 and 30 days, the phytotoxic effects of the treatment were evaluated. Nosymptoms of phytotoxicity in the sugarcane plants were observed.

The shoot height of the sugarcane plants and the fresh matter of shoots of theplants were measured 90 days after application. The results are set out in Table 2.

Table 2.

The number of Pratylenchus zeae in various developmental stages in 10 gramsamples of the roots of the sugarcane plants were counted after 45 and 90 days. Theresults are set out in Table 3 below.

Table 3.

As can be seen, treatment of the sugarcane plants with thiodicarb significantlyreduced the nematode count, compared with the Control. The sugarcane plants exhibitedsignificantly greater shoot growth following treatment with thiodicarb than the Controls.

Example 2 - Sugarcane - Pratylenchus zeae A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Pratylenchuszeae recovered from sugarcane crops located in PacaembO-State of Sao Paulo-Brazil.The subpopulation was multiplied from corn plants (Zea mays L.) ΌΚΒ 390 PRO' in clayrecipients in a greenhouse. The subpopulation was previously identified based onmorphological characters of adult females mounted in temporary slides by using adicotomic key created by SANTOS et al. (2005). 3 ml_ samples of the compositions set out Table 4 were applied uniformly on thesoil and around the roots of the plants. Thereafter, the roots of the sugarcane plants wereinoculated with 10 ml. of a suspension containing Pratylenchus zeae in variousdevelopmental stages, after which the roots were covered with soil. 5 replicates werecarried out.

Table 4.

The number of nematode eggs in the roots of the plants was counted 135 daysafter inoculation. The results are set out in Table 5 below.

Table 5.

As can be seen, treatment of the sugarcane plants with thiodicarb significantlyreduced the nematode egg count, compared with the Control.

Example 3 - Sugarcane - Meloidogyne javanica and Pratylenchus zeae A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Meloidogynejavanica kept in soybean plants (Glycine max L.) in clay recipients in a greenhouse. Thesubpopulation was previously identified based on morphological characters of perinealpatterns prepared as per TAYLOR & NETSCHER (1974), on the morphology of the mouthregion of males (EISENBACK et al., 1981), and on the isoenzymatic phenotype foresterasis obtained by the technique by ESBENSHADE & TRIANTAPHYLLOU (1990),using a traditional vertical electropheresis system, namely Mini Protean II by BIO-RAD. 3 mL samples of the compositions summarised in Table 6 below were applieduniformly on the soil and around the roots at the rate indicated in the table. Thereafter,the roots of teh sugarcane plants were inoculated with 10 mL of a suspension containing5000 eggs (Pratylenchus zeae and Meloidogyne javanica) and second-stage juveniles ofMeloidogyne javanica, after which the roots were covered with soil. 5 replicates werecarried out. In addition, upon analysis, Meloidogyne javanica, and Pratylenchus zeaewere also found in the suspension of extracted roots.

Table 6.

The shoot height of the sugarcane plants was measured 100 days afterapplication. The results are set out in Table 7 below.

Table 7.

The number of Meloidogyne javanica in various developmental stages in the roots;the number of Meloidogyne javanica in various developmental stages in 10 grams of roots;the number of Pratylenchus zeae in various developmental stages in 10 grams of roots;and the number of eggs of nematodes in the roots were counted 100 days afterapplication. The results are set out in Table 8 below.

Table 8.

Example 4 - Soybean - Meloidogyne javanica A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Meloidogynejavanica kept from tomato (Solanum lycopersicom L.) in clay recipients in a greenhouse.The subpopulation was previously identified based on morphological characters ofperineal patterns prepared as per TAYLOR & NETSCHER (1974), on the morphology ofthe mouth region of males (EISENBACK et al., 1981), and on the isoenzymatic phenotypefor esterasis obtained by the technique by ESBENSHADE & TRIANTAPHYLLOU (1990),using a traditional vertical electropheresis system, namely Mini Protean II by BIO-RAD. A suspension containg eggs and second stage jveniles (J2) was prepared from thetomato roots. 10mL of the suspension was inoculated with eggplant for 22 days.Thereafter, the eggplant was transplanted to pots and kept in the greenhouse. After 100days, the roots of the eggplant were washed and ground in a blender with a solution of0.5% sodium hypochlorite. The suspension was then passed through a sieve of 200mesh (0.074 mm openings) on 500 (0.025 mm openings). The eggs and juvenilesretained on the 500 mesh sieve were collected and washed.

Soybean seeds were treated with the compositions indicated in Table 9. Theseeds were then inoculated with 3 mL of a suspension containing 5,000 eggs and secondstage juveniles of Meloidogyne javanica.

Table 9.

19 days after sowing, the phytotoxic effects of the treatment were evaluated. Nosymptoms of phytotoxicity in the soybean plants were observed.

The number of galls on 10 grams of roots of the soybean plants was counted 52days after sowing. The results are set out in Table 10 below.

Table 10.

The number of eggs and Meloidogyne javanica in 10 grams of soybean roots werecounted 52 days after sowing. The results are set out in Table 11 below.

Table 11.

The root length of the soybean plants was measured 52 and 90 days afterapplication. The results are set out in Table 12 below.

Table 12.

As can be seen, treatment of the soybean plants with thiodicarb significantlyreduced the nematode count, compared with the Control. The soybean plants exhibitedsignificantly greater root growth following treatment with thiodicarb than the Control.

Example 5 - Coffee - Pratylenchus brachyurus A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Pratylenchusbrachyurus kept in soybean plants (Glycine max L.) in clay recipients in a greenhouse.The subpopulation was previously identified based on morphological characters ofperineal patterns, on the morphology of the mouth region, and on the isoenzymaticphenotype for esterasis. 3 ml. samples of the compositions summarised in Table 13 below were applieduniformly on the soil and around the roots at the rates indicated in the table. Thereafter,the roots of the young coffee plants were inoculated with 10 ml_ of a suspensioncontaining Pratylenchus brachyurus in various developmental stages, after which theroots were covered with soil. 5 replicates were carried out.

Table 13.

After 15 and 30 days, the phytotoxic effects of the treatment were evaluated. Nosymptoms of phytotoxicity in the coffee plants were observed.

The root length of the coffee plants was measured 52 and 90 days afterapplication. The results are set out in Table 14 below.

Table 14.

The number of Pratylenchus brachyurus in various development stages in theroots of the coffee plants were counted 52 and 90 days after application. The results areset out in Table 15 below.

Table 15.

As can be seen, treatment of the coffee plants with thiodicarb significantly reducedthe nematode count, compared with the Control. The coffee plants exhibited significantlygreater root growth following treatment with thiodicarb than the Control.

Example 6 - Coffee - Meloidogyne exigua A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Meloidogyneexigua in tomato (Solanum lycopersicom L.) in clay recipients in a greenhouse. Thesubpopulation was previously identified based on morphological characters of perinealpatterns, on the morphology of the mouth region, and on the isoenzymatic phenotype foresterasis. 3 mL samples of the compositions summarised in Table 16 were applied uniformlyon the soil and around the roots at the application rates indicated in the table. Thereafter,the roots of the young coffee plant were inoculated with 10 mL of a suspension containingMeloidogyne exigua in various developmental stages, after which the roots were coveredwith soil. 5 replicates were carried out.

Table 16.

The shoot height of the coffee plants was measured 100 days after application.The results are set out in Table 17 below.

Table 17.

The number of Meloidogyne exigua in various development stages in the roots ofthe coffee plants was counted 52 and 90 days after application. The results are set out inTable 18 below.

Table 18.

As can be seen, treatment of the coffee plants with thiodicarb significantly reducedthe nematode count, compared with the Control. The coffee plants exhibited significantlygreater shoot growth following treatment with thiodicarb than the Controls.

Example 7- Cotton - Meloidogyne incognita A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Meloidogyneincognita in tomato (Solanum lycopersicom L.)in clay recipients in a greenhouse. Thesubpopulation was previously identified based on morphological characters of perinealpatterns, on the morphology of the mouth region, and on the isoenzymatic phenotype foresterasis. 3 ml_ samples of the compositions summarised in Table 19 below were applieduniformly on the soil and around the roots at the rate indicated in the table. Thereafter,the roots of the cotton plants were inoculated with 10 ml_ of a suspension containingMeloidogyne incognita in various developmental stages, after which the roots werecovered with soil. 5 replicates were carried out.

Table 19.

After 15 and 30 days, the phytotoxic effects of the treatment were evaluated. Nosymptoms of phytotoxicity in the cotton plants were observed.

The fresh root matter was measured 90 days after application. The results are setout in Table 20 below.

Table 20.

The number of galls on 10 grams of roots was measured 90 days after application.The results are set out in Table 21 below.

Table 21.

As can be seen, treatment of the cotton plants with thiodicarb significantly reducedthe nematode count, compared with the Control. The cotton plants exhibited significantlygreater root growth following treatment with thiodicarb than the Controls.

Example 8 - Soybean - Heterodera glycines A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Heteroderaglycines kept in soybean plants (Glycine max L.) in clay recipients in a greenhouse. Thesubpopulation was previously identified based on morphological characters of perinealpatterns, on the morphology of the mouth region, and on the isoenzymatic phenotype foresterasis. A suspension containing eggs and second stage jveniles (J2) was prepared fromtomato roots. 10mL of the suspension was inoculated with eggplant for 22 days. Theeggplant was then transplanted to pots and kept in the greenhouse. After 100 days, theroots of the eggplant were washed and ground in a blender with a solution of 0.5%sodium hypochlorite. The suspension was then passed through a sieve of 200 mesh(0.074 mm openings) on 500 (0.025 mm openings). The eggs and juveniles retained on500 mesh sieve were collected and washed.

Soybean seeds were treated with the compositions indicated in Table 22. Theseeds were then inoculated with 3 mL of a suspension containing 5,000 eggs and secondstage juveniles of Heterodera glycines.

Table 22.

The number of galls on 10 grams of roots of the soybean plants was counted 52days after sowing. The results are set out in Table 23 below.

Table 23.

The root length of the soybean plants was measured 52 and 90 days afterapplication. The results are set out in Table 24 below.

Table 24.

As can be seen, treatment of the soybean plants with thiodicarb significantlyreduced the nematode count, compared with the Control. The soybean plants exhibitedsignificantly greater root growth following treatment with thiodicarb than the Controls.

Example 9 - Corn - Rotylenchulus reniformis A nematode inoculum was prepared from a pure subpopulation of Rotylenchulusreniformis in soybean plants (Glycine max L.) in clay recipients in a greenhouse. Thesubpopulation was previously identified based on morphological characters of perinealpatterns, on the morphology of the mouth region, and on the isoenzymatic phenotype foresterasis. 3 ml_ samples of the compositions set out in Table 25 were applied uniformly onthe soil and around the roots at the application rates indicated in the table. Thereafter,the roots of the corn plants were inoculated with 10 ml_ of a suspension containingRotylenchulus reniformis in various developmental stages, after which the roots werecovered with soil. 5 replicates were carried out.

Table 25.

After 15 and 30 days, the phytotoxic effects of the treatment were evaluated. Nosymptoms of phytotoxicity in the corn plants were observed.

The amount of fresh root matter was measured 90 days after application. Theresults are set out in Table 26 below.

Table 26.

The number of galls on 10 grams of roots was measured 90 days after application.The results are set out in Table 27 below.

Table 27.

As can be seen, treatment of the corn plants with thiodicarb significantly reducedthe nematode count, compared with the Control. The corn plants exhibited significantlygreater root growth following treatment with thiodicarb than the Controls.

Claims

1. A method for controlling nematodes in plants at a locus and improving plantgrowth comprising applying to the locus thiodicarb, wherein thiodicarb is applied to thelocus at an application rate of from 100 to 3000 g/ha.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control is of Pratylenchus zeae,Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Meloidogyne exigua, Meloidogyneincognita, Heterodera glycines, Rotylenchulus reniformis.

3. The method according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the plants and/or theirsurroundings are infested with at least one nematode.

4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plants are selectedfrom cereals, fruit, leguminous plants, sugarcanes, oil plants, cucurbitaceae, fibre plants,citrus, vegetables, coffee, and ornamentals.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the plants are selected from wheat,barley, rye, oats, corn, rice, sorghum, triticale, pomes, apples, grapes, pears, plums,peaches, almonds, pistachio, cherries, strawberries, raspberries blackberries, beans,lentils, peas, soybeans, rape, mustard, sunflowers, marrows, cucumbers, melons, cotton,flax, hemp, jute, calamondin, citrus citron, chironja, tangelo, tangor, grapefruit, kumquat,lemon, lime, mandarin (tangerine), sour orange, sweet orange, pummelo, satsumamandarin, spinach, lettuce, asparagus, cabbages, carrots, onions, tomatoes, potatoes,paprika, roses, shrubs, broad-leaved trees and evergreens.

6. The method according to any of claim 1 to 5, wherein the control is ofPratylenchus zeae, Meloidogyne javanica, Pratylenchus brachyurus, Meloidogyne exigua,Meloidogyne incognita, Heterodera glycines, or Rotylenchulus reniformis in soybean,sugarcane, cotton, corn or coffee.

7. I he method according to any preceding claim, wherein thiodicarb is applied to thelocus at an aoolication rate of from 200 to 2500 a/ha, ........>.· ' ...... .· .· w . .