Stabilized bio-available soluble silicate solution

Abstract

The present invention relates to dissolved silicate compositions in which the dissolved silicate is stabilized by at least two selected osmolytes and is therefore bioavailable. The composition and its dilutions are stable over a long period of time and are used in a wide field of applications for the benefit of living organisms such as plants, animals and humans.

Claims

1. A stable aqueous silicate composition comprising a solubilized alkali metal silicate, characterized in that said composition further comprises at least a first osmolyte compound wherein said first osmolyte compound is a sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of glycerol, pinitol, galactitol, talitol, erythritol, threitol, arabitol, xylitol, ribitol, mannitol, sorbitol, dulcitol, iditol, maltitol, lactitol, polyglycitol, and combinations thereof, and at least a second osmolyte compound selected from an N-methylated compound, wherein said N-methylated compound is selected from the group consisting of trimethylglycine, carnitine, N-methyl alanine, trimethylamino-butyric acid, proline-betaine, sarcosine, N,N-dimethylglycine, N-methyl aspartic acid, alanine-betaine, histidine-betaine, N-methyl taurine, choline, choline chloride, trimethyl-amine-N-oxide (TMAO), and combinations thereof and salts thereof, and wherein the pH of said composition is above 10.8.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the sugar alcohol is glycerol.

3. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of a fertilizer, a plant protecting compound, a pesticide, a growth regulator, an adjuvant, a mineral, a biocide, a detergent, an emulsifier, a feed or food additive, a feed or food supplement, and combinations thereof.

4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said composition comprises less than 10 mM multivalent metal ions.

5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the silicon concentration is from 0.02 M to 1.6 M silicon.

6. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said first osmolyte compound is present at a concentration of at least 1% (w/v).

7. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the total osmolyte concentration is lower than 70% (w/v).

8. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one carrier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a graph showing the potato yield increase of Alternaria solani infected potato in three different field tests using varying levels of in fungicide 1 and/or a composition according to the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a graph showing the severity of powdery mildew infection of grapes: (A): untreated grapes; (B): grapes treated with a composition according to the invention at 1 L/ha.

(3) FIG. 3 is a graph showing the reduction of late blight infection of potato leafs in three different field tests without (empty bar) and with (striped bar) a composition according to the invention at 0.65 L/ha with various levels of fungicide.

(4) FIG. 4 is a graph showing the potato yield increase of late blight infected potato in three different spraying programs of fungicides with a composition according to the invention at 0.65 L/ha.

(5) FIG. 5 is a graph showing the effect on the quality of fruits harvested from field tests conducted in orchards without (empty bar) and with (striped bar) a composition according to the invention at 2 L/ha.

(6) FIG. 6 is a graph showing the delay on storage disease contamination of fruits harvested from field tests conducted in orchards without (empty bar) and with (striped bar) a composition according to the invention at 2 L/ha.

(7) In the different figures, the same reference signs refer to the same or analogous elements.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(8) The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings and figures described are only schematic and are non-limiting.

(9) It is to be noticed that the term comprising, used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being restricted to the means listed thereafter; it does not exclude other elements or steps. It is thus to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, steps or components as referred to, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps or components, or groups thereof.

(10) The following terms are provided solely to aid in the understanding of the invention. These definitions should not be construed to have a scope less than understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

(11) Silicate refers to silicates or silicate powders.

(12) Total osmolyte concentration refers to the sum of the concentration of first, second and third osmolyte compound.

(13) Crops can refer to any type of plant or product of a plant, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, roots, landscape plants, ornamental plants, and crop plants.

(14) Protecting crops refers the ability of a product of the present invention to prevent and/or reduce and/or minimize undesirable effects of sun and/or heat. Undesirable effects of sun and/or heat on crops includes sunburn and heat stress, all of which may increase transpiration during photosynthesis, or cause visual damage to plant products such as fruits, vegetables, and fibres. Protecting crops also refers to the ability of a compound of the present invention to prevent and/or reduce and/or minimize insect infestation and/or damage to plant products.

(15) As used in the present disclosure, the term stability specifically means that the individual silicates in the composition of the present invention refrain from polymerization (sol or gel formation), precipitation, coagulation or flocculation in suspension or coalescence on the bottom of the container. For practical purposes of the present disclosure, a suspension is considered to be stable if the polymerization or coagulation process is so slow as to take at least five days to form a perceptible precipitate in an undisturbed shipping container.

(16) In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a stable aqueous silicate composition.

(17) In a particular embodiment, this composition has a silicon concentration >0.02 M and a pH>10.8, and the molar concentration of the first osmolyte compound is higher than one fourth of the molar silicon concentration: [first osmolyte compound]>0.25 [Si].

(18) In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a stable diluted aqueous silicate solution.

(19) In a particular embodiment, the stable aqueous silicate composition of present invention is diluted so that a stable diluted aqueous silicate solution is obtained. Dilution can take place in all kinds of water or in a solution, an emulsion, a suspension, or in a drink, such as a soft drink, soup, coffee, tea, juice, or milk, or combinations thereof. As such, the stable diluted aqueous silicate solution is a source of bio-available silicon for pro- and eukaryotic cells, plants, animals and humans.

(20) The pH of the stable diluted aqueous silicate solution is preferably between pH 5.0 and pH 10.0. For example, a 500 fold dilution of stable aqueous silicate composition of present invention containing 0.55 M Si could have a pH between 7.0 and 8.0, e.g. when diluted in tap water, or a pH between 8.0 and 9.0, e.g. when diluted in purified water.

(21) In a particular embodiment, the composition or stable dilution thereof are associated with one or more carriers, e.g. absorbed on a non toxic carrier selected from the group consisting of cellulose, cellulose derivatives, proteins, salts, sugars, starch, modified starch, treated starch, starch phosphates and esters thereof, hydroxypropyl starch, and hydrolysed starch, and mixtures thereof resulting in a solution, emulsion, gel or suspension.

(22) The stable aqueous silicate composition or stable dilution thereof are further particularly suited to be adsorbed on one or more carriers such as a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of gelatine, collagen, flour, fat, cereal grain, sugar, lactose, mannitol, polysaccharides, amino-sugars, sugar polymers, and gels, and mixtures thereof.

(23) The stable aqueous silicate composition or stable dilution thereof are also particularly suited to be is adsorbed on one or more carriers such as a bead selected from the group consisting of alginate, alginate, cellulose, and pectin, and modifications and polymers and mixtures thereof.

(24) In a particular embodiment, the composition or stable dilution thereof are absorbed on one or more carriers such as a gum selected from the group consisting of agar, alginic acid, beta glucan, carrageenan, dammar gum, glucomannan, guar gum, sodium alginate, and xantham gum, and mixtures thereof.

(25) In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a powder.

(26) In a particular embodiment, the stable aqueous silicate composition of present invention or a dilution thereof is evaporated so that a powder is obtained.

(27) In a particular embodiment, the powder of present invention is associated with one or more carriers, e.g. absorbed on a non toxic carrier or on a gum, or adsorbed on a carrier such as a thickening agent or a bead.

(28) In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to the use.

(29) As it can be understood from the above description, the stable aqueous silicate composition or stable dilutions thereof can be used in a wide range of applications as a source of bio-available silicon, for microbial, plant, animal and human applications.

(30) In a particular embodiment the stable aqueous silicate composition or stable dilution thereof are used in the production of crops. Besides the dissolved silicate, the composition or stable dilutions thereof may further comprise plant protecting compounds, pesticides, growth regulators or other compounds used in crop production. More in particular, the composition can be used as a fertilizer such as a liquid fertilizer or plant protecting compound in foliar applications or drip irrigation. Thereto, it is mixed, for example, in an irrigation stream (fertigation), in soil fertigation or through liquid injection. It can for instance be used with a liquid spreader, spinning disc spreader, drop spreader, in furrow and flood irrigation, surface application and water run application.

(31) In another particular embodiment the stable aqueous silicate composition or stable dilution thereof are used in a pharmaceutical composition or therapeutic formulation, or for preparing a pharmaceutical composition or therapeutic formulation such as in ointment, crme, milk, gel, water based liquid, emulsion, solution, lotion, mask, patch, spray, drink, beverage, syrup, capsule, pill, tablet, soft gel, etc.

(32) In another particular embodiment the stable aqueous silicate composition or stable dilution thereof are used in a cosmetic composition or for preparing a cosmetic composition.

(33) In another particular embodiment the stable aqueous silicate composition or stable dilution thereof are used in a food or feed supplement or for preparing a food or feed supplement.

(34) In a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to an osmolyte compound solution for use as an ingredient for preparing a stable aqueous silicate composition according to present invention or a stable diluted aqueous silicate solution according to present invention, characterized in that the osmolyte compound solution comprises at least a first osmolyte compound selected from urea and sugar alcohol and combinations thereof. In a particular embodiment, the osmolyte compound solution could be, for example, an aqueous solution comprising urea, or sugar alcohol, or both, and optionally a second osmolyte compound selected from an N-methylated compound is present in or added to the latter osmolyte compound solution.

(35) In a preferred embodiment, the osmolyte compound solution of present invention is for use as an ingredient for preparing a stable aqueous silicate composition according to present invention or a stable diluted aqueous silicate solution according to present invention, characterized in the osmolyte compound solution and comprises at least a second osmolyte compound selected from an N-methylated compound. In a particular embodiment, the osmolyte compound solution could be, for example, an aqueous solution comprising an N-methylated compound, and optionally a first osmolyte compound selected from urea and sugar alcohol and combinations thereof is present in or added to the latter osmolyte corn pound solution.

(36) The N-methylated compound is, for example, an N-methylated compound selected from the group consisting of trimethylglycine, carnitine, N-methyl alanine, trimethylamino-butyric acid, proline-betaine, sarcosine, N-methyl-glycine, N,N-dimethylglycine, N-methyl aspartic acid, alanine-betaine, histidine-betaine, N-methyl taurine, choline, choline derivates and salts thereof, trimethyl-amine-N-oxide (TMAO), and combinations thereof and salts thereof.

(37) In a sixth aspect, the present invention relates to a kit of parts for contributing to the preparation of a stable aqueous silicate composition according to present invention or a stable diluted aqueous silicate solution according to present invention, the kit comprising at least an alkali metal silicate and at least a first osmolyte selected from urea and sugar alcohol and combinations thereof.

(38) Optionally, the kit may also comprise a second osmolyte compound selected from an N-methylated compound.

(39) The present invention furthermore relates to a kit of parts for contributing to the preparation of a stable aqueous silicate composition according to present invention or a stable diluted aqueous silicate solution according to present invention, the kit comprising at least an alkali metal silicate, and at least a second osmolyte selected from an N-methylated compound.

(40) Optionally, the kit may also comprise a first osmolyte selected from urea and sugar alcohol and combinations thereof.

(41) The N-methylated compound is, for example, an N-methylated compound selected from the group consisting of trimethylglycine, carnitine, N-methyl alanine, trimethylamino-butyric acid, proline-betaine, sarcosine, N-methyl-glycine, N,N-dimethylglycine, N-methyl aspartic acid, alanine-betaine, histidine-betaine, N-methyl taurine, choline, choline derivates and salts thereof, trimethyl-amine-N-oxide (TMAO), and combinations thereof and salts thereof.

(42) In a seventh aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a stable aqueous silicate composition.

(43) In a particular embodiment, the preparation of the stable aqueous silicate composition of present invention involves the stabilization with minimal two selected osmolytes. This preparation method involves, for example, the following steps.

(44) First, an alkali silicate or silica powder is completely solubilized in a strong alkali hydroxide. Alternatively, solubilized alkali silicates may also be used. A concentrated silicon solution is thus obtained, with a silicon concentration higher than, for example, 3 M Si. Preferentially, the pH is increased with an alkali hydroxide until pH above 12.5. This strong alkaline silicate solution is subsequently diluted in a solution containing a sugar alcohol (e.g. glycerol), urea or a mixture of both. A clear solution is obtained. The second N-methylated osmolyte is then added. At this point, other optional osmolytes can be added. Preferably a silicon concentration between 0.02 and 1.6 M is obtained. The solution is kept at room temperature. Twenty fold or higher dilutions of this final preparation in mineral, purified or tap water result in a clear solution, stable for at least two weeks at room temperature.

(45) In a particular embodiment, the method further comprises the step of adding an omit (alkali) soluble protein or protein hydrolysate from plant or animal origin at concentrations higher than 1% and preferably between 5% and 20%. The protein is added after dilution in purified water. Evaporation of the solution results in a powder containing bioavailable silicate.

(46) In an eight aspect, the present invention relates to a method for protecting crops.

(47) In a particular embodiment, crops are treated with a composition of present invention, such as a composition comprising dissolved silicate as a source of bio-available silicate as described above. More in particular, crops can also be treated with a composition of present invention comprising dissolved silicate as a source of bio-available silicate as well as one or more plant protecting compounds, pesticides, growth regulators or other compounds used in crop production. Crops are protected by providing the composition of the present invention in a required dose to a field of growing crops.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

(48) Potassium silicate: 0.9 M Si

(49) Glycerol: 10% (v/v)

(50) UREA: 20% (w/v)

(51) Trimethylglycine: 5% (w/v)

(52) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 13.0)

Example 2

(53) Potassium silicate: 0.25 M Si

(54) Glycerol: 25% (v/v)

(55) UREA: 5%

(56) Trimethylglycine: 3%

(57) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.3)

Example 3

(58) Potassium silicate: 0.5 M Si

(59) Glycerol: 25%

(60) UREA: 20%

(61) Potassium nitrate: 6%

(62) Trimethylglycine: 3%

(63) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.9)

Example 4

(64) Potassium silicate: 0.5 M Si

(65) Glycerol: 20%

(66) N-methyl-glycine: 6%

(67) UREA: 20%

(68) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.8)

Example 5

(69) Potassium silicate: 0.3 M Si

(70) Glycerol: 20%

(71) UREA: 20%

(72) Sorbitol: 5%

(73) Dimethylglycine: 5%

(74) Potassium nitrate: 5%

(75) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.5)

Example 6

(76) Sodium silicate: 0.3 M Si

(77) Glycerol: 10%

(78) Trimethylglycine: 3%

(79) Mannitol: 10%

(80) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.4)

Example 7

(81) Sodium silicate: 055 M Si

(82) Glycerol: 15%

(83) Trimethylglycine: 12%

(84) Sucrose: 10%

(85) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 13.0)

Example 8

(86) Potassium silicate: 055 M Si

(87) Glycerol: 20%

(88) TMAO (trimethyl-amine-N-oxide): 6%

(89) Trimethylglycine: 6%

(90) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.8)

Example 9

(91) Potassium silicate: 0.25 M Si

(92) Trimethylglycine: 6%

(93) L-proline: 10%

(94) Glycerol: 10%

(95) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.5)

Example 10

(96) Potassium silicate: 0.5 M Si

(97) Trimethylglycine: 6%

(98) Glycerol: 20%

(99) Choline chloride: 20%

(100) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.9)

Example 11

(101) Sodium silicate: 0.3 M

(102) Glycerol: 25%

(103) Trimethylglycine: 6%

(104) Sorbitol: 8%

(105) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.3)

Example 12

(106) Potassium silicate: 0.3M Si

(107) Glycerol: 10%

(108) UREA: 10%

(109) Trimethylglycine: 1%

(110) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.9)

Example 13

(111) Potassium silicate: 0.3M Si

(112) Glycerol 15%

(113) Urea: 10%

(114) TMAO (trimethyl-amine-N-oxide): 1%

(115) Lithium silicate: 0.02% Si

(116) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.9)

Example 14

(117) Potassium silicate: 0.535 M Si

(118) Glycerol: 20% (v/v)

(119) Trimethylglycine: 5% (w/v)

(120) Urea: 10% (w/v)

(121) in water to make 100 vol. % (pH 12.9)

Example 15

Preparation of a Silicate Containing Composition without Compatible Solutes

(122) We diluted potassium silicate (2.15 M Si, pH 13) 1000 times in purified water (pH 6.4), tap water (pH 6.6), mineral water (pH 7.0), process water (pH 6.5) used in green houses, liquid plant nutrient mixture and determined the final silicic acid (monomeric silicic acid or silicate) concentration, after stabilization at room temperature during 2 days, using the molybdenum blue method. SiF.sub.6 was used as standard control for Si. Only the dilution in purified water resulted in acceptable values (more than 60% monosilicic acid or monosilicate detection). The other detection values were more than 50% lower. It is therefore obvious that the diluted silicates used in plant nutrition are in fact a mixture of solubilized mono-silicates, polymerized silicates and precipitated silicates in suspension.

Example 16

Water Holding Capacity of Crops Treated with a Control Silicic Acid Solution Lacking Osmolytes

(123) We developed a test after careful observation of plants treated with control solutions containing silicic acid and lacking osmolytes. Surprisingly we detected that plants treated (two times a week) with low doses (below 1 rail) of mono-silicic acid (solution 1) developed leafs that hold water much longer time than the control plants. The leafs were harvested (picked) and dried at room temperature or at 40 C. The interpretation of the results is straightforward and quick. Leafs from a three to six week old plant newly formed during silicon application were collected (picked off) and dried in open air after careful scattering on a plastic foil. Control (non silicic acid treated) leafs shrinked and dried much quicker than the silicon treated leafs.

(124) To prepare the (control) silicic acid solution, a concentrated potassium silicate solution (pH 13.0) was first hydrolysed quickly in a strong acid pH smaller than 2.0 to obtain silicic acid (0.535 M Si). This concentrated solution was directly diluted in purified water resulting in a solution containing mono silicic acid and oligomers at much lower concentrations to inhibit polymerization in the absence of stabilizing osmolytes (solution 1). The same concentrated potassium silicate solution was diluted in process water pH 6.5 to a concentration of 0.7 mM Si as diluted silicate in process water without osmolytes. (solution 2)

(125) Five week old white celery plants were treated (foliar spray) once a week during 5 weeks with the process water dilution (solution 2). Leafs from 3 plants were picked using scissors and dried at room temperature on a plastic foil. Already after 1-hour leafs started to curl while treated leafs conserved their original shape.

(126) After 1 day, the difference was more accentuated. Control (non treated) and solution 2 treated plants shrinked, their colour became pale and dried up edges were visible while the solution 1 (silicic acid) treated plant still conserved their original shape and colour.

Example 17

Water Holding Capacity of Crops Treated with the Composition of Example 14

(127) The composition of example 14 was diluted in tap water until a silicon concentration of 0.7 mM was reached, meaning a 750 fold dilution.

(128) Four control preparations were made:

(129) TABLE-US-00001 Control 1 a tap water dilution of a silicic acid (H.sub.4SiO.sub.4) solution containing 0.7 mM silicon as silicic acid of example 16 (silicic acid control) Control 2 a 750 fold tap water dilution of a solution of glycerol (20%), trimethylglycine (5%), and urea (10%) (Osmolyte control) Control 3 a 750 fold tap water dilution of a concentrated potassium silicate (0.535M silicon, pH 12.9), containing 0.7 mM silicon (silicate control) Control 4 tap water

(130) The experiment was performed with celery plants as described above. After 2 days of drying the celery leafs at room temperature on a plastic foil, two groups of leafs showed clearly superior water holding characteristics i.e. the control 1 group and the group that had been treated with the composition of example 14. The untreated group (control 4) showed completely shrinked leafs. Treatment with the control 2 and 3 preparations showed shrinked leafs similar to those of the untreated group (control 4), but the leaf edges were less dried out and the green colour was more preserved. There is an obvious similarity between the control 1 group and the group that had been treated with the composition of example 14. In these groups the morphology and shape of the celery leafs were practically not affected, their colour was best conserved and they were still flexible. This experiment shows that foliar application of silicic acid and diluted silicate prepared from concentrated alkali and stabilized with specific compatible solutes show similar biological effect on leafs. Silicic acid alone (control 1) does not need the osmolytes and the osmolytes alone (control 2) are not capable to induce the same effect. This experiment also shows that the addition of osmolytes to a silicate solution (i.e. the composition of example 14) is essential to confer plant protective properties as in the absence of osmolytes (i.e. control 3) no plant protective properties were observed.

(131) This implies that application of osmolyte stabilized soluble silicates results in higher water retention and that therefore the plant is stimulated to produce specific structures to perform this crucial activity.

Example 18

Field Test Using a Dilution of Composition of Example 1 at Concentration of 0.375%

(132) The composition of example 1 was applied to test the content of dry matter of vegetables. In this field test, a plot of celery received at 10 days interval 4 foliar sprayings of the composition of example 1 diluted in water at the rate of 0.375%, meaning a 266 fold dilution. At harvest, the yield and the volume of juice were measured (Table 1). The content of solid matter is calculated as the difference between the stem weight and the quantity of juice.

(133) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Test results of treatment of a celery plot with the composition of example 1. Treatment Stem weight (g) Volume of juice (ml) % Solid matter Untreated 650 550 16 Treated 950 (=+46%) 450 47

(134) The treatment with the composition did not only increase the stem weight, but also the content of solid matter. The increase of solid matter permits a longer shelf life of the freshly cut celery (further assessments have shown that the cut plants of celery treated with the composition of example 1 gained six days of freshness in comparison to non treated plants).

Example 19

(135) A dilution in water of a composition containing:

(136) Potassium silicate: 0.03 M Si

(137) Collagen hydrolysate: 20% (w/v)

(138) Trimethylglycine: 5% (w/v)

(139) Xylitol: 8% (w/v)

(140) This solution with pH 7.5 is quickly evaporated at a temperature lower than 70 C. into a powder.

Example 20

(141) A dilution in water of a composition containing:

(142) Potassium silicate: 0.01 M Si

(143) Choline: 0.5% (w/v)

(144) Mannitol: 2% (w/v)

(145) Proline: 5% (w/v)

(146) Carnitine: 2% (w/v)

(147) Boric acid: 0.15% (w/v)

(148) Citric acid: 0.1%

(149) Sodium selenate: 0.01% (w/v)

(150) This solution with pH 6.8 is diluted in drinking water for animal use.

Example 21

(151) A dilution in water of a composition containing:

(152) Potassium silicate: 180 mM Si

(153) Trimethylglycine: 0.1% (w/v)

(154) TMAO (trimethyl-amine-N-oxide): 0.9% (w/v)

(155) Aspartic acid: 0.5% (w/v)

(156) Urea: 0.2% (w/v)

(157) Potassium nitrate: 2 (w/v)

(158) A fungicide

(159) This solution with pH 6.3 is used as fertilizer and osmolyte source for plants.

Example 22

(160) One liter of the composition of example 9 is adsorbed on a mixture of 0.5 kg cellulose and 0.75 kg guar gum. The resultant paste is used as silicon and osmolyte source and mixed with animal food.

Example 23

Field Test Using the Composition of Example 12 to Treat A. Solani Infected Potato

(161) This composition was used for reducing the rate of fungicides.

(162) The results are shown in FIG. 1 with (A): field test with ziram 76 WG at 1.5 kg/ha and no composition of example 12; (B): field test with ziram 76 WG at 1.5 kg/ha and composition of example 12 at 0.39 L/ha; (C): field test with ziram 76 WG at 2.5 kg/ha and no composition of example 12.

(163) The addition of 0.5% of this composition of example 12, meaning a 250 fold dilution, equal to 0.39 L/ha, to a contact fungicide used at 60% of the authorised rate has permitted to achieve the same level of efficacy (1.5 kg/ha of fungicide instead of 2.5 kg/ha). Field test were conducted on Potato infected by Alternaria solani. Five treatments, spray volume of 260 L/ha.

Example 24

Field Test Using the Composition of Example 12 to Treat E. Necator Infected Grapes

(164) The composition of example 12 was used in a field test on grape infected by powdery mildew Erysiphe necator. Seven treatments, spray volume of 400 L/ha.

(165) The results are shown in FIG. 2. The composition of example 12 alone at 0.25%, meaning a 500 fold dilution, equal to 1 L/ha, has reduced the severity of the infection of powdery mildew by 54%.

Example 25

Field Test Using the Composition of Example 12 to Treat Late Blight Infected Potato

(166) The composition of example 12 was used in a field test performed on potato for the control of late blight (Phytophtora infenstans), three different types of fungicides (systemic, contact, curative) were applied alone and in combination with the composition of example 12 at the rate of 0.25%, meaning a 250 fold dilution.

(167) The results are shown in FIG. 3 with (A): field test with systemic fungicide 1 (propamocarb 72 SL) at 1.0 L/ha; (B): field test with contact fungicide 2 in (ziram 76 WG) at 3.0 kg/ha and composition of example 12 at 0.39 L/ha; (C): field test with contact fungicide 3 at 2.0 L/ha.

(168) The addition of 0.25% of the composition of example 12, meaning a 500 fold dilution, equal to 0.65 L/ha, to the spray mix brought 60 to 200% more efficacy against Late Blight, whatsoever the type of fungicide In trial 1 fungicide 1 has a 60% efficiency, and fungicide 1+the composition of example 12 has a 80% efficiency. Accordingly, the composition of example 12 gives a 30% improvement of the efficacy of fungicide 1 in trial 1, a 50% improvement in of the efficacy of fungicide 2 in trial 2 and a 200% improvement in of the efficacy of fungicide 3 in trial Assessments were done on leafs after 8 treatments with a spray volume of 260 L/ha, with 50% of leafs infected in the non-treated leafs.

Example 26

Field Test Using the Composition of Example 12 on Potato

(169) A 500 fold dilution of the composition of example 12 was used in a field test conducted on potato, assessing the increase of commercial yield due to eleven applications of the composition of example 12 at 0.65 L/ha. The impact of the composition of example 12 on yield has been evaluated with three different spraying programs of fungicides.

(170) The results are shown in FIG. 4 with (A): spraying program with systemic fungicide 1 (propamocarbe 72 SL) at 1 L/ha; spraying program (B): spraying program with contact fungicide 2 (ziram 76 WG) at 3 kg/ha spraying program (C): spraying program with contact fungicide 3 at 2 L/ha. The commercial yield in the non-treated was 20.0 t/ha and the increase of yield due to the composition of example 12 ranged from 2.1 to 16.1%.

Example 27

Field Test Using the Composition of Example 12 on Plums (Mirabelle)

(171) A 400 fold dilution of the composition of example 12 was used in a field test performed on plums (var. Mirabelle 1725) for assessing the effects of the composition of present invention on the quality parameters of the fruits produced, at harvest and during storage. Four applications of the composition of example 12 at the rate of 0.25% were done at weekly interval before harvest. The impact of the composition of example 12 was noticeable at harvest through assessment of acidity (FIG. 5, A), coloration (less green) (FIG. 5, B), pigmentation (FIG. 5, C), % of fruits contaminated by the disease Monilia (FIG. 5, D), % of over-mature fruits (FIG. 5, E) and fruits with peduncle (FIG. 5, F). All quality parameters of the fruits were improved by the invention in comparison to the non-treated.

(172) Fruits harvested from trees treated with the composition of example 12 were more resistant to the storage disease Monilia, allowing more than six additional days of storage in comparison to the control (FIG. 6).

(173) It is to be understood that although preferred embodiments and specific concentrations and dilutions, as well as methods for preparing these, have been discussed herein for compositions according to the present invention, various changes or modifications in form and detail may be made. For example, whereas in the present invention for example a concentrated composition is described, the present invention also relates to any possible dilution of such concentrated composition.