COMPOSITION COMPRISING A BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AGENT AND A FUNGICIDE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Bacillus chitinosporus AQ746 (NRRL Accession No. B-21618), Bacillus mycoides AQ726 (NRRL Accession No. B-21664), Bacillus pumilus (NRRL Accession No. B-30087), Bacillus pumilus AQ717 (NRRL Accession No. B-21662), Bacillus sp. AQ175 (ATCC Accession No. 55608), Bacillus sp. AQ177 (ATCC Accession No. 55609), Bacillus sp. AQ178 (ATCC Accession No. 53522), Bacillus subtilis AQ743 (NRRL Accession No. B-21665), Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ153 (ATCC Accession No. 55614), Bacillus thuringiensis BD#32 (NRRL Accession No. B-21530), Bacillus thuringiensis AQ52 (NRRL Accession No. B-21619), Muscodor albus 620 (NRRL Accession No. 30547), Muscodor roseus A3-5 (NRRL Accession No. 30548), Rhodococcus globerulus AQ719 (NRRL Accession No. B-21663), Streptomyces galbus (NRRL Accession No. 30232), Streptomyces sp. (NRRL Accession No. B-30145), Bacillus thuringiensis subspec. kurstaki BMP 123, Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455) and/or a mutant of these strains having all the identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or a metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens and at least one fungicide (I) in a synergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

Claims

1. A composition comprising at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455) and at least one fungicide (I) selected from the group consisting of cyflufenamid and fenpyrazamine, wherein combination of the at least one biological control agent and the at least one fungicide (I) results in a synergistic effect.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one biological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661).

3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein fungicide (I) is cyflufenamid

4. The composition according to claim 2, wherein fungicide (I) is fenpyrazamine

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one biological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421).

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein fungicide (I) is cyflufenamid

7. The composition according to claim 5, wherein fungicide (I) is fenpyrazamine

8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one biological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455).

9. The composition according to claim 8, wherein fungicide (I) is cyflufenamid

10. The composition according to claim 8, wherein fungicide (I) is fenpyrazamine

11. The composition according to claim 1 additionally comprising at least one auxiliary selected from the group consisting of extenders, solvents, spontaneity promoters, carriers, emulsifiers, dispersants, frost protectants, thickeners and adjuvants.

12. The composition according to claim 2, wherein a weight ratio of the at least one biological control agent and the at least one fungicide (I) lies in the range of 1:500 to 1000:1.

13. The composition according to claim 12, wherein the weight ratio of the at least one biological control agent and the at least one fungicide (I) lies in the range of 1:500 to 300:1.

14. A seed treated with the composition according to claim 1.

15. A method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts as well as losses in harvested fruits or vegetables caused by insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens comprising simultaneously or sequentially applying at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455) and at least one fungicide (I) selected from the group consisting of cyflufenamid and fenpyrazamine onto the plant, plant parts, harvested fruits, vegetables and/or plant's locus of growth, wherein combination of the at least one biological control agent and the at least one fungicide (I) results in a synergistic effect.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the at least one biological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein fungicide (I) is cyflufenamid.

18. A kit of parts comprising at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661), Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), and Bacillus subtilis AQ30004 (NRRL Accession No. B-50455) and at least one fungicide (I) selected from the group consisting of cyflufenamid and fenpyrazamine, in a spatially separated arrangement, wherein combination of the at least one biological control agent and the at least one fungicide (I) results in a synergistic effect.

19. The kit of parts according to claim 18, wherein the at least one biological control agent is Bacillus subtilis AQ713 (NRRL Accession No. B-21661).

20. The kit of parts according to claim 19, wherein fungicide (I) is cyflufenamid

Description

EXAMPLES

[0341] The advanced fungicidal activity of the active compound combinations according to the invention is evident from the example below. While the individual active compounds exhibit weaknesses with regard to the fungicidal activity, the combinations have an activity which exceeds a simple addition of activities.

[0342] A synergistic effect of fungicides is always present when the fungicidal activity of the active compound combinations exceeds the total of the activities of the active compounds when applied individually. The expected activity for a given combination of two active compounds can be calculated as follows (according to Colby's formula) (cf. Colby, S. R., “Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 1967, 15, 20-22): [0343] If [0344] X is the efficacy when active compound A is applied at an application rate of m ppm (or g/ha), [0345] Y is the efficacy when active compound B is applied at an application rate of n ppm (or g/ha), [0346] E is the efficacy when the active compounds A and B are applied at application rates of m and n ppm (or g/ha), respectively, and then

[00001]$E=X+Y-\frac{X.Math.Y}{100}$

[0347] The degree of efficacy, expressed in % is denoted. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the control while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed.

[0348] If the actual fungicidal activity exceeds the calculated value, then the activity of the combination is superadditive, i.e., a synergistic effect exists. In this case, the efficacy which was actually observed must be greater than the value for the expected efficacy (E) calculated from the abovementioned formula.

[0349] A further way of demonstrating a synergistic effect is the method of Tammes (cf. “Isoboles, a graphic representation of synergism in pesticides” in Neth. J. Plant Path., 1964, 70, 73-80).

[0350] The invention is illustrated by the following examples. However the invention is not limited to the examples.

[0351] In the following examples the strain Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 has been used, which is mentioned above as B19 and is referred to in the following table as QST30002. A solution comprising 8.5 x 10.sup.8 CFU/g (1.34%) of this strain has been used.

Example A

Venturia Test (Apples) / Preventive

[0352] QST30002 (B19), active compunds (1 part by weight) solved in acetone/dimethylacetamide (24.5/24.5 part by weight) and alkylaryl polyglycol ether (1 part by weight), or combinations thereof were diluted with water to the desired concentration.

[0353] The application rate of QST30002 refers to the amount of dried Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 aka QST300202 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421.)

[0354] To test for preventive activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated rate of application. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous conidia suspension of the causal agent of apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and then remain for 1 day in an incubation cabinet at approximately 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100%.

[0355] The plants are then placed in a greenhouse at approximately 21° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of approximately 90%.

[0356] The test is evaluated 10 days after the inoculation. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the untreated control, while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed.

[0357] The table below clearly shows that the observed activity of the active compound combination according to the invention is greater than the calculated activity, i.e., a synergistic effect is present.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Venturia Test (Apples)/Preventive Application Rate of Active Active Compounds Efficacy in % Compound in ppm a.i. Found* Calc.** B19 QST30002 500 63 F187 isotianil 100 0 B19 + F187 1:0.2 500 + 100 80 63 *found = activity found **calc. = activity calculated using Colby's formula

Example B

Sphaerotheca Test (Cucumbers) / Preventive

[0358] QST30002 (B19), active compounds (1 part by weight) solved in acetone/dimethylacetamide (24.5/24.5 part by weight) and alkylaryl polyglycol ether (1 part by weight), or combinations thereof were diluted with water to the desired concentration.

[0359] The application rate of QST30002 refers to the amount of dried Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421), contained in the product QST30002.

[0360] To test for preventive activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated rate of application. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Sphaerotheca fuliginea. The plants are then placed in a greenhouse at approximately 23° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of approximately 70%.

[0361] The test is evaluated 7 days after the inoculation. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the untreated control, while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed.

[0362] The table below clearly shows that the observed activity of the active compound combination according to the invention is greater than the calculated activity, i.e., a synergistic effect is present.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Sphaerotheca Test (Cucumbers)/Preventive Application Rate of Active Compound in Efficacy in % Active Compounds ppm a.i. Found* Calc.** B19 QST30002 500 0 F187 isotianil 100 0 B19 + F187 1:0.2 500 + 100 57 0 *found = activity found **calc. = activity calculated using Colby's formula

Example C

Alternaria Test (Tomatoes) / Preventive

[0363] QST30002 (B19), active compunds (1 part by weight) solved in acetone/dimethylacetamide (24.5/24.5 part by weight) and alkylaryl polyglycol ether (1 part by weight), or combinations thereof were diluted with water to the desired concentration.

[0364] The application rate of QST30002 refers to the amount of dried Bacillus subtilis AQ30002 aka QST300202 (NRRL Accession No. B-50421.

[0365] To test for preventive activity, young plants are sprayed with the preparation of active compound at the stated rate of application. After the spray coating has dried on, the plants are inoculated with an aqueous spore suspension of Alternaria solani. The plants are then placed in an incubation cabinet at approximately 20° C. and a relative atmospheric humidity of 100%.

[0366] The test is evaluated 3 days after the inoculation. 0% means an efficacy which corresponds to that of the untreated control while an efficacy of 100% means that no disease is observed.

[0367] The table below clearly shows that the observed activity of the active compound combination according to the invention is greater than the calculated activity, i.e., a synergistic effect is present.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE C1 Alternaria Test (Tomatoes)/Preventive Application Rate of Active Compound in Efficacy in % Active Compounds ppm a.i. Found* Calc.** B19 QST30002 250 32 F187 isotianil 50 36 F315 1-(4-{4-[5-5-(2,6- 100 0 difluorophenyl-4,5-dihydro- 1,2-oxazol-3-yl]-1,3-thiazol-2-yl} piperidin-1-yl)-2-[5-methyl-3- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol- 1-yl]ethanone B19 + F187 1:0.2 250 + 50  68 56 B19 + F315 1:0.2 500 + 100 60 45 *found = activity found **calc. = activity calculated using Colby's formula

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE C2 Alternaria Test (Tomatoes)/Preventive Application Rate of Active Compound Efficacy in % Active Compounds in ppm a.i. Found* Calc.** B19 QST30002 500 34 F281 fosetyl-Al 100 0 F298 phosphorous acid 400 35 B19 + F281 1:0.2 500 + 100 70 34 B19 + F298 1:0.8 500 + 400 80 57 *found = activity found **calc. = activity calculated using Colby's formula