Plant growth regulation

Abstract

The present invention relates to a new plant growth regulation composition comprising a compound of Formula (Ia) and trinexapac-ethyl. (Ia). It also relates to a method for enhancing or regulating the growth of plants comprising applying said composition. ##STR00001##

Claims

1. A composition, comprising: a compound of Formula (Ia) ##STR00005## and trinexapac-ethyl; wherein the compound of Formula (Ia) and trinexapac-ethyl are present in a weight ratio providing synergistic reduced lodging of plants and wherein the weight ratio of Formula (Ia) to trinexapac-ethyl is from 1:10 to 10:1.

2. The composition according to claim 1 further comprising an agriculturally acceptable formulation adjuvant.

3. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of Formula (Ia) to trinexapac-ethyl is from 1:1 to 1:5.

4. A method for reducing lodging of plants, comprising applying to the plants, plant part, plant propagation material or plant growing locus during the reproductive growth stage of the crop plants, a composition according to claim 1.

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the only agrochemical active ingredients are the compound of Formula (Ia) and trinexapac-ethyl.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the weight ratio of Formula (Ia) to trinexapac-ethyl is from 1:1.5 to 1:3.

7. A composition, comprising: a compound of Formula (Ia) ##STR00006## and trinexapac-ethyl; wherein the weight ratio of Formula (Ia) to trinexapac-ethyl is from 1:1.5 to 1:3.

8. The composition according to claim 7, wherein the only agrochemical active ingredients are the compound of Formula (Ia) and trinexapac-ethyl.

Description

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Plant Growth Regulation Trial in Rice, India

(1) Field trials were setup during the hot season in Annanagar and Kumbakonam in India. Local rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties ADT45 was mechanically transplanted at four plants per hill with a plant spacing of 16 cm and a row spacing of 30 cm. All trials were performed in good level of water management. Fertilizer application, and weed, insect and disease control were carried out in accordance with the best local practice across the trial area. Commercial treated seeds were used (with no neonicotinoid compounds present).

(2) The trial design was a randomized bloc design, with a plot size of 40 m.sup.2 (12 rows, each 4 m wide and 10 m long); each trial had four replicates. Treatments were applied at the panicle initiation growth stage (BBCH 30) as shown in the table below.

(3) Overall trial quality was very high: there was no insect damage and no disease pressure or weeds; the plots were very homogenous. Heat stress level was low to medium with 5-10% empty spikelets in the untreated control.

(4) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Treatment Rate (g ai/ha) Lodging (%) 1 Untreated check n/a 70.0 2 Formula (Ia) 10 g ai/ha 29.0 3 Formula (Ia) + 10 + 30 g ai/ha 2.5 MODDUS 4 Formula (Ia) 20 g ai/ha 56.0 5 Formula (Ia) + 20 + 30 g ai/ha 1.25 MODDUS 6 MODDUS 30 g ai/ha 3.0 MODDUS ® contains trinexapac-ethyl

(5) The results show that the compound of Formula (Ia) significantly reduces lodging compared to the untreated control.

(6) Additionally the results show that the mixture of Formula (Ia) with MODDUS® at rates of 20 g ai/ha and 30 g ai/ha respectively (treatment 5) gave the best results, with only 1.25% lodging; a reduction of heat stress symptoms was also observed from this treatment.

(7) It was noted that treatment 6, MODDUS® solo, reduced lodging and plant height as expected, but no reduction of heat stress symptoms was observed.