WO2013039917A1

WO2013039917A1 - Pesticidal compositions and processes related thereto

Info

Publication number: WO2013039917A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/054669
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kalliopi P. PAPAGEORGIOU; Aristidis S. CHLORIDIS
Original assignee: Dow AgroSciences LLC
Current assignee: Corteva Agriscience LLC
Priority date: 2011-09-15
Filing date: 2012-09-11
Publication date: 2013-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2014-03-15

Abstract

Pesticidal compositions and processes related thereto are disclosed.

Description

PESTICIDAL COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESSES RELATED THERETO

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of United States

Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/535,215, filed September 15, 2011, for "PESTICIDAL COMPOSITIONS AND PROCESSES RELATED THERETO."

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to pesticidal compositions and processes related

BACKGROUND

Pests, such as whiteflies, mites, aphids, scale insects, thrips and mealybugs, cause millions of dollars of damage each year to ornamental plants and plants grown in greenhouses (also known as glasshouses). Some major challenges to greenhouse production and profitability are insects, diseases, and weeds. A major concern for most greenhouse owners is insect resistance to pesticides. Numerous factors have lead to resistance of pesticides. These include pest biology, the intensity of past and present chemical use, aspects of the greenhouse setting, and commercial production practices.

In particular, whiteflies, such as Trialeurodes vaporariorum, are difficult insects to control, especially in greenhouses. The immature stages are small and difficult to detect. Once inside a greenhouse, whiteflies develop and when adults emerge, they quickly become distributed over an entire crop or move to other available host plants. Trialeurodes vaporariorum is commonly known as the "greenhouse or glasshouse whitefly." It is a primary pest of many fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops, frequently being found in protected horticultural environments. Whiteflies attack a wide range of different plants, including, bean, bittermelon, Chinese wax gourd, cotton, cucumber, edible gourds, eggplant, green beans, green pepper, hyotan, lettuce, luffa, ornamentals, pikake, plumeria, poinsettia, potato, pumpkin, rose, strawberry, sweet potato, taro, tobacco, togan, tomato, watercress, watermelon and zucchini

The nymphs and adults of the whitefly attack plants by consuming large quantities of sap from the phloem. Thousands of whitefly nymphs and adults may occupy a single leaf of a plant. In such large numbers, loss of nutrients by the plant due to sap consumption by the whiteflies may result in growth deformation, yield reduction, wilting of leaves, or death of the plant. The consumption of sap by the whiteflies leads to excretion of excess liquid that contains large amounts of sugar, often referred to as "honeydew." As the plant becomes covered in honeydew, a black fungus may grow and cover the leaves so completely that it interferes with the proper physiological activities of the plants.

Given the considerable problem posed by greenhouse pests more effective methods of controlling greenhouse pests are desired.

METHOD(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As used herein, the term "pest" means organisms in the Phylum Arthropoda. As used herein, the term "pesticide," means any substance that may be used to control organisms in the Phylum Arthropoda.

As used herein, the terms "control" and "controlling," mean killing, eradicating, arresting in growth, inhibiting, reducing in number, and/or imparting sterility.

As used herein, the term "insecticide," means a pesticide used for controlling insects.

As used herein, the term "locus," means a particular position, point, or area.

Spinosad is a known pesticide; see The Pesticide Manual" 15^th Edition, Edited by C D S Tomlin (2009).

Spinetoram" is a known pesticide; see "The Pesticide ManuaF 15^th Edition, Edited by C D S Tomlin (2009).

As used herein, the term "synergistic" means a combination of components wherein the activity of the combination is greater than the sum of the individual activities of each component of the combination.

As used herein, the term "wt%" means a percent of a particular component by weight in a composition based on an overall weight of a composition.

The pesticidal compositions herein comprise: (a) spinosad, or spinetoram, or both spinosad and spinetoram; and (b) codacide oil, or savona, or both codacide oil and savona. The pesticidal processes herein comprise: a process to control pests in a locus where control of such pests is desired said process comprising applying a pesticidal composition in an amount effective to control said pests wherein said pesticidal composition comprises (a) spinosad, or spinetoram, or both spinosad and spinetoram; and (b) codacide oil, or savona, or both codacide oil and savona.

The combination of ingredients in the pesticidal composition may result in a synergistic effect providing the pesticidal composition with improved efficacy. Such pesticidal compositions may be particularly effective against greenhouse pests, such as Trialeurodes vaporariorum.

The pesticidal compositions provide improved efficacy against pests, such as whiteflies, mites, aphids, scale insects, thrips, and mealybugs. It has been found that combining spinosad and/or spinetoram, with codacide oil and/or savona provides a pesticidal composition having improved efficacy against pests (e.g., whiteflies) in comparison to any such components alone. At least one pesticidally-acceptable carrier, solvent, or diluent, may additionally be included in the pesticidal composition to facilitate delivery.

Spinosad can be obtained from Dow AgroSciences LLC under the trade names SPINTOR® Insecticide, TRACER® Insecticide and ENTRUST® Insecticide.

Spinetoram can be obtained from Dow AgroSciences LLC under the trade names DELEGATE® Insecticide and RADIANT® Insecticide.

Codacide Oil can be obtained from Microcide Ltd., Shepherds Grove, Stanton, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk IP31 2AR, UK. Codacide Oil is in large part rapeseed oil that has been formulated with plant-based emulsifiers.

Savona insecticidal soap can be obtained from Koppert BV, Veilingweg 14, 2651 BE Berkel en Rodenrijs, The Netherlands. Savona is in large part a mixture of naturally occurring potassium salts of fatty acids and alcohols.

The pesticidal composition may additionally include one or more ingredients, such as a carrier, a solvent, or a diluent. For example, solvent can be any chemical compound whose molecules contain a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom, such as, for example, methyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. Alternatively, or in addition, the solvent can be water, propylene glycol, glycerol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, methyl alcohol, tetrahydrofufuryl alcohol, oils, and combinations thereof. A variety of other ingredients may be added to the pesticidal composition. For example, the pesticidal composition may additionally include preservatives, surfactants, adhesion promoters, solubilizers such as oleic acid or lactic acid, viscosity modifiers, UV blockers or absorbers, colorants, and stabilizers, such as antioxidants.

The components of the pesticidal composition can be mixed together in any conventional manner. For greenhouse uses, a backpack sprayer has been used.

The amount of spinosad to use in the pesticidal composition is generally about 0.02 to about 0.3 grams per liter (g/L) of carrier. In another embodiment of this invention about 0.04 to about 0.2 g/L can be used. In another embodiment of this invention about 0.06 to about 0.1 g/L is used.

The amount of spinetoram to use in the pesticidal composition is generally about 0.01 to about 0.2 g/L of carrier. In another embodiment of this invention about 0.02 to about 0.1 g/L can be used. In another embodiment of this invention about 0.03 to about 0.8 g/L is used.

The amount of codacide oil to use in the pesticide composition is generally from about 1 part by volume codacide oil to about 600 parts by volume carrier, although a larger or smaller ratio can be used, such as 1 part codacide oil to 900 parts carrier or 1 part codacide oil to 300 parts carrier.

The amount of savona to use in the pesticidal composition is generally from about 1 part by volume savona to about 50 parts by volume carrier, although a larger or smaller ratio can be used, such as 1 part savona to 100 parts carrier or 1 part savona to 25 parts carrier.

The amount of pesticidal composition to be used to control pests in a locus depends on many factors, such as the particular pests or the resistance of such pests to pesticides, to name a few factors. However, in general, about 1500 liters per hectare (L/ha) of pesticidal composition may be used, although more or less can be used, such as about 1000 L/ha or about 2500 L/ha.

The pesticidal compositions may be applied directly to, or to a surface adjacent to, a locus which includes a population of undesirable pests. For example, the pesticidal compositions may be applied using a sprayer to foliage of plants in a greenhouse. The following example serves to explain embodiments of the present invention in more detail. This example is not to be construed as being exhaustive or exclusive as to the scope of this invention.

Example: Preparation and Testing of Pesticidal Compositions.

Nine pesticidal compositions were made. The compositions were made using the following components:

1. Codacide Oil;

2. Savona;

3. SPINTOR® 480 SC insecticide, which can be obtained from Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A. 46268. This product contains 480 grams of spinosad per liter;

4. RADIANT^® SC insecticide, which can be obtained from Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN, U.S.A. 46268. This product contains 120 grams of spinetoram per liter; and

5. PROFIL 20 SC, which can be obtained from K&N EFTHYMIADIS S.A, 1^st klm Olympic Skopeftirio Road, 190 03 Markopoulo Attica, Greece. This product contains 20 wt% acetamiprid. Acetamiprid is a well-known and leading active ingredient used to control whiteflies.

The amount of each component used in each composition is presented in the following composition Table 1.

Table 1

Composition Codacide SAVONA SPINTOR RADIANT Water PROFIL Number Oil (mL) (mL) (mL) (mL) (L) (g)

1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.8 0.0

2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.8 0.0

3 3.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 1.8 0.0

4 0.0 18.0 0.3 0.0 1.8 0.0

5 0.0 36.0 0.3 0.0 1.8 0.0

6 3.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 1.8 0.0

7 0.0 18.0 0.0 0.6 1.8 0.0

8 0.0 36.0 0.0 0.6 1.8 0.0

9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.8 0.48 Compositions 1 , 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9 were made by mixing the indicated components together to form a mixture that can be used in a backpack sprayer.

Composition 3 and 6 were made by mixing the insecticide and codacide oil first to form a premix and then mixing with water to form a mixture that can be used in a backpack sprayer.

Each composition was tested in two glasshouses in separate geographical settings ("Site A" and "Site B"). Each glasshouse had separate 3 square meter (m²) plots in which each composition could be tested. Each composition was tested in 4 plots in each glasshouse. In each plot, glasshouse tomatoes were planted and allowed to grow to stage 72 (see BBCH-scale (solaneous fruit)) before they were infested with nymphs of Trialeurodes vaporariorum, which is also commonly known as the

"greenhouse whitefly" or "glasshouse whitefly." Each composition was then sprayed, using a conventional backpack sprayer under compressed air pressure, on the tomato plants until runoff of each composition occurred thus applying the entire composition to the four 3 m plots.

Assessments of Trialeurodes vaporariorum nymph population were carried out at 0, 3, 7 and 14 days after application (DAA). At each assessment, ten (10) leaves were selected from each plot and examined thoroughly under a stereoscope. The number of live Trialeurodes vaporariorum nymphs on each of these leaves was determined. Subsequently, the population in each plot was expressed as the total number of live nymphs per ten leaves. The least significant difference (LSD) test at a probability level of 0.5 was used to compare the means. Percent control of

Trialeurodes vaporariorum (% control) was calculated using the Abbott formula (e.g., [1 - (number in treated group after assessment/number in control group after treatment) x 100]). The results are presented in Tables 2 and 3. In Tables 2 and 3, the percent (%) column under each of the 3, 7, and 14 days after application columns indicates the average percent mortality of the Trialeurodes vaporariorum nymph population; the statistics column (S) under each of the 3, 7, and 14 days after application columns indicates the statistical significance of each percent. Percents followed by the same letter indicate that such percents are not statistically different. Table 2

Composition Days after application

3 7 14

% S % S % S

1 51.7 c 57.1 c 63.5 c

2 59.4 be 65.6 be 67.7 be

3 61.0 be 63.2 c 81.0 ab

4 64.8 b 75.0 ab 80.1 ab

5 76.6 a 80.0 a 81.4 ab

6 66.7 ab 81.3 a 76.9 abc

7 57.9 be 82.4 a 78.6 abc

8 60.7 be 84.9 a 84.1 a

9 66.3 ab 78.1 a 78.6 abc untreated control 0.0 d 0.0 d 0.0 d

Analysis of Results

Comparing composition 1 (spinosad alone) to composition 3 (mixture of codacide oil and spinosad) clearly shows that composition 3 was statistically better than composition 1 , 14 days after application; furthermore, comparing composition 3 composition 9 (acetamiprid) clearly shows that composition 3 was statistically as good or slightly better than composition 9, 14 days after application.

Comparing composition 1 (spinosad alone) to compositions 4 and 5 (mixtures of savona and spinosad) clearly shows that compositions 4 and 5 were statistically better than composition 1 , 14 days after application; furthermore, comparing compositions 4 and 5 to composition 9 (acetamiprid) clearly shows that that compositions 4 and 5 were statistically as good as or slightly better than composition 9,

14 days after application.

Comparing composition 2 (spinetoram alone) to composition 6 (mixture of codacide oil and spinetoram) shows that composition 6 was statistically better than composition 2, 14 days after application; furthermore, comparing composition 6 to composition 9 (acetamiprid) clearly shows that composition 6 was statistically as good as composition 9, 14 days after application.

Comparing composition 2 (spinetoram alone) to compositions 7 and 8

(mixtures of savona and spinetoram) clearly shows that compositions 7 and 8 were statistically better than composition 2, 14 days after application, with composition 8 being clearly superior; furthermore, comparing compositions 7 and 8 to composition 9

(acetamiprid) clearly shows that compositions 7 and 8 were statistically as good or slightly better than composition 9, 14 days after application.

Additionally, it was discovered that these mixtures did not produce any phytotoxicity issues with the tomatoes.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A pesticidal composition comprising:

(a) spinosad, spinetoram, or a combination of spinosad and spinetoram; and

(b) codacide oil, savona, or a combination of codacide oil and savona.

2. A pesticidal composition according to claim 1 wherein (a) is spinosad and (b) is codacide oil.

3. A pesticidal composition according to claim 1 wherein (a) is spinosad and (b) is savona oil.

4. A pesticidal composition according to claim 1 wherein (a) is spinetoram and (b) is codacide oil.

5. A pesticidal composition according to claim 1 wherein (a) is spinetoram and (b) is savona oil.

6. A process to control pests in a locus said process comprising applying to said locus a pesticidal composition in an amount sufficient to control said pests wherein said pesticidal composition comprises:

(a) spinosad, spinetoram, or a combination of spinosad and spinetoram; and

(b) codacide oil, savona, or a combination of codacide oil and savona.

7. A process according to claim 6 wherein (a) is spinosad and (b) is codacide oil.

8. A process according to claim 6 wherein (a) is spinosad and (b) is savona oil.

9. A process according to claim 6 wherein (a) is spinetoram and (b) is codacide oil.

10. A process according to claim 6 wherein (a) is spinetoram and (b) is savona oil.

1 1. A process according to claim 6 wherein said locus is in a greenhouse.

12. A process according to claim 6 wherein said pest is from the Phylum Arthropoda.

13. A process according to claim 6 wherein said pest is at least one of whiteflies, mites, aphids, scale insects, thrips, or mealybugs,

14. A process according to claim 6 wherein said pest is whiteflies.

15. A process according to claim 6 wherein said locus is a greenhouse, and in said locus tomatoes are growing, and said pest is Trialeurodes vaporariorum.