AGRICULTURAL COMPOSITION COMPRISING KASUGAMYCIN

The present disclosure relates to agricultural compositions. Particularly, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition including Kasugamycin or salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor (laminarin) that exhibits antifungal and antibacterial properties. Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aqueous pre-mix agricultural formulation and a method of preparation thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to agricultural combinations and compositions. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to an agricultural composition including kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor (laminarin) exhibiting anti-microbial properties. Further aspects of the present disclosure relate to a liquid agricultural formulation and a method of preparation thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kasugamycin is an agricultural antibiotic bactericide that inhibits the proliferation of bacteria by tampering with their ability to make new proteins with ribosome being the major target. It exhibits both antibacterial and fungicidal properties and has been widely used. The mechanism of action of kasugamycin is to disturb the esterase system of pathogen metabolism of amino acid; destroy the biosynthesis of protein; the growth that suppresses mycelia also causes cell granulations, makes pathogen lose breeding and infection ability.

Kasugamycin is quite valued both at a domestic and at the industrial level. Unfortunately, no single bactericide and fungicide is useful in all situations and repeated usage of a single bactericide or fungicide such as kasugamycin frequently leads to the development of resistance in phytopathogens towards kasugamycin and its related bactericide and fungicide compounds. Accordingly, significant efforts have been put forward towards finding new and improved combinations of bactericide, fungicide and other related material of natural or synthetic origin that are safer, have better performance, require lower dosages, easier to use and are cost effective. Combinations have also been studied that produce synergism, i.e., the activity of two, or more, agents exceed the activities of the agents when used alone. However, none of the current approaches or reports seem to satisfy the existing needs.

Moreover, the application of bactericides and fungicides in crop management has been reported to cause persistent issues relating to phytotoxicity as well as emergence of resistance in phytopathogens, resulting in poor disease control and massive crop loss.

There is therefore an unmet need in the art to develop an agricultural combination or composition including a component having a biological origin such as kasugamycin or a salt and a plant resistance elicitor thereof that may overcome the drawbacks associated with the existing agricultural combinations or compositions and exhibits good synergy/functional reciprocity and provides broad-spectrum anti-microbial properties such as antifungal and antibacterial properties at a reduced dosage.

The present invention satisfies the existing urgent needs of providing a synergistic agricultural combination or composition having minimal or no phytotoxicity and mitigating resistance in phytopathogens, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the prior art.

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides agricultural combinations. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a combination including kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor that exhibits antimicrobial properties including antifungal and antibacterial properties.

The present disclosure provides a combination of kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor, such that the said elicitor potentiates the anti-phytopathogenic efficacy of kasugamycin by inducing resistance to diseases in plants.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a combination including kasugamycin or a salt thereof and laminarin exhibiting anti-microbial properties.

The present disclosure relates to agricultural compositions. Particularly, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition including kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor that exhibits antifungal and antibacterial properties.

In an aspect, the plant resistance elicitor is one or more of chemical elicitors selected from laminarin, salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, benzothiadiazole, benzoic acid and chitosan.

Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aqueous pre-mix agricultural formulation and a method of preparation thereof.

The present disclosure is on the premise of a surprising finding by the inventors of the instant application that combinations or compositions including kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor (laminarin, in particular) exhibits good synergy or functional reciprocity therebetween, aids in reducing dosage of kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and consequently aids in reducing or mitigating phytotoxicity. It could also be noted that the compositions may aid in precluding development of resistance of phytopathogens towards kasugamycin or its salt.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition comprising an agriculturally effective amount of kasugamycin or a salt thereof; an agriculturally effective amount of a plant resistance elicitor; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient.

In an aspect, the plant resistance elicitor comprises laminarin.

In an aspect, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% w/v by weight of the composition.

The composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:30.

The composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:20.

The composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:10.

In an aspect, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:10 to 10:1.

In another aspect, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:5 to 5:1.

In yet another aspect, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:2 to 2:1. In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:7.

In an aspect, the composition comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% w/v, laminarin in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 50% w/v, and an excipient in an amount ranging from 10% to 99% w/v, each ingredient by weight of the composition.

In an aspect, the composition is formulated as a liquid.

In an aspect, the salt of kasugamycin is kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate.

In an embodiment, the plant resistance elicitor is laminarin.

In an embodiment, the formulation comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:5 to 5:1. In an embodiment, the formulation comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:2 to 2:1. In an embodiment, the formulation comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:7.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an aqueous pre-mix agricultural formulation, said formulation comprising: kasugamycin or salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% by weight of the composition; a plant resistance elicitor; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor is in the range of 1:10 to 10:1.

In an embodiment, the composition is formulated as an aqueous pre-mix formulation. In an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is any or a combination of a surfactant, a preservative, a coloring agent, a pH adjusting agent, anti-foaming agent and a solvent. In an embodiment, the surfactant includes alkyl phenyl ether and ethylene glycol.

In an embodiment, the preservative includes potassium sorbate.

In an embodiment, the solvent includes water.

In an embodiment, the formulation has a pH ranging from 1.5 to 5.5.

In an embodiment, the liquid formulation comprises, kasugamycin or salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% w/v, laminarin in an amount ranging from 0.1%-50% w/v, and an excipient in an amount ranging from 10% to 99% w/v, each component by weight of the formulation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the “invention” may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the “invention” will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.

“Alkyl” as used herein means a straight or branched chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having the specified number of carbon atoms. Alkyl groups include, for example, groups having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms (C1to C50alkyl).

“Alkylene” means a straight, branched or cyclic divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and may have from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms, more specifically 2 to about 12 carbons. Exemplary alkylene groups include methylene (—CH2—), ethylene (—CH2CH2—), propylene (—(CH2)3), cyclohexylene (—C6H10—), methylenedioxy (—O—CH2—O—), or ethylenedioxy (—O—(CH2)2—O—).

“Aryloxy” means an aryl moiety that is linked via an oxygen (i.e., —O-aryl). An aryloxy group includes a C6to C30aryloxy group, and specifically a C6to C18aryloxy group. Non-limiting examples include phenoxy, naphthyloxy, and tetrahydronaphthyloxy.

The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

The present disclosure relates to agricultural compositions. Particularly, the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition including Kasugamycin or salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor that exhibits antifungal and antibacterial properties. Further, aspects of the present disclosure relate to an aqueous pre-mix agricultural formulation and a method of preparation thereof.

The present disclosure is based on the premise of an unexpected finding by the inventors of the instant application that compositions including Kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor, laminarin, exhibits good synergy/functional reciprocity therebetween, aids in reducing dosage of kasugamycin or salt thereof, and consequently aids in reducing or mitigating phytotoxicity. It could also be noted that the compositions may aid in precluding development of resistance of phytopathogens towards kasugamycin or salt thereof. This effect is plausibly owing to the reason that—laminarin, having structure similar to the degradation products of fungal cell wall (oligo-glycans), acts as an elicitor for the activation of plant defence mechanisms, through the reinforcement of cell walls, production of phytoalexins and pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins.

The present disclosure provides agricultural combinations. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a combination including kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor exhibiting antimicrobial properties including antifungal and antibacterial properties.

The present disclosure provides a combination of kasugamycin or a salt thereof and a plant resistance elicitor, such that the said elicitor potentiates the anti-phytopathogenic efficacy of kasugamycin by inducing resistance to diseases in plants.

In an embodiment, kasugamycin salt is kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate.

In a preferred embodiment, the plant resistance elicitor is laminarin.

In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a combination including kasugamycin or a salt thereof and laminarin exhibiting anti-microbial properties.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:30.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:20.

In a preferred embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:10.

In a preferred embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:10.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and laminarin in a weight ratio ranging from 1:10 to 10:1.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and laminarin in a weight ratio ranging from 1:5 to 5:1.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and laminarin in a weight ratio ranging from 1:2 to 2:1.

In an embodiment, the combination comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and laminarin in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:7.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present disclosure provides an agricultural composition, said composition comprising: an agriculturally effective amount of kasugamycin or salt thereof; an agriculturally effective amount of a plant resistance elicitor; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient.

In an embodiment, the salt of kasugamycin is kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate.

In an embodiment, the plant resistance elicitor is one or more of chemical elicitors selected from laminarin, salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, benzothiadiazole, benzoic acid and chitosan.

In an embodiment, the plant resistance elicitor is laminarin or extracts comprising the same.

In an embodiment, the plant resistance elicitor is laminarin.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:30.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:20.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:10.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:10 to 10:1.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:5 to 5:1.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:2 to 2:1.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:7.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% (w/v), laminarin in an amount ranging from 0.1%-50% (w/v), and an excipient in an amount ranging from 10% to 99%(w/v) by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 1% to 40% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 1% to 35% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 2% to 35% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 5% to 30% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 10% to 30% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In another preferred embodiment, the composition comprises kasugamycin or a salt thereof in an amount ranging from 15% to 30% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises laminarin in an amount ranging from 0.1%-50% w/v by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises laminarin in an amount ranging from 1%-40% (w/v) by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition comprises laminarin in an amount ranging from 5%-30% w/v by weight of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises laminarin in an amount ranging from 10%-30% w/v by weight of the composition.

In another preferred embodiment, the composition comprises laminarin in an amount ranging from 15%-30% w/v by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the composition exhibits wide spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties. Particularly, the composition of the present disclosure is effective againstPectobacterium carotovorum, Burkholderia gladioli, Botrytis cinerea, Peronosporaspp.,Alternaria porri, Erysiphespp.,Stemphylium vesicarium, Fusariumspp.,Pythiumspp.,Rhizoctoniaspp.,Envinia carotovora, andPyricularia oryzae.

In an embodiment the present compositions further comprising an herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, nematicide, acaricides or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment the insecticide may be selected from group of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors, GABA-gated chloride channel blockers, Sodium channel modulators, Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators, Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) allosteric modulators—Site I, Glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) allosteric modulators, Juvenile hormone mimics, miscellaneous nonspecific (multi-site) inhibitors, Chordotonal organ TRPV channel modulators, Mite growth inhibitors affecting CHS1, Microbial disruptors of insect midgut membranes, Inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthase, Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation via disruption of the proton gradient, Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) channel blockers, Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis affecting CHS1. Inhibitors of chitin biosynthesis, Moulting disruptors, Dipteran, Ecdysone receptor agonists, Octopamine receptor agonists, Mitochondrial complex III electron transport inhibitors, Mitochondrial complex I electron transport inhibitors, Voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers, Inhibitors of acetyl CoA carboxylase, Mitochondrial complex IV electron transport inhibitors, Mitochondrial complex II electron transport inhibitors, Ryanodine receptor modulators, Chordotonal organ Modulators—undefined target site, GABA-gated chloride channel allosteric modulators and Baculoviruses.

In an embodiment, the fungicide may be selected from nucleic acid synthesis inhibitors, cytoskeleton and motor protein inhibitors, amino acids and protein synthesis inhibitors, respiration process inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors, lipid synthesis or transport and membrane integrity disruptors or functions, sterol biosynthesis inhibitors, melanin synthesis inhibitors, cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors, melanin synthesis inhibitor in cell wall, host plant defence inductors, fungicides with unknown modes of action, non-classified fungicides, fungicides with multisite activity and/or biologicals with multiple mode of action.

In an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipient is any or a combination of a wetting agent, a dispersing agent, a binding agent, an anti-freeze agent, surfactant, a preservative, a coloring agent, a pH adjusting agent, anti-foaming agent and a solvent. However, it should be appreciated that any other agriculturally acceptable excipients, as known to a person skilled in the art, may be used to serve its intended purpose.

In an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipients are present in an amount ranging from 5% to 99% by weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipients are present in an amount ranging from 10% to 60% w/v of the composition.

In an embodiment, the agriculturally acceptable excipients are present in an amount ranging from 15% to 60% w/v of the composition.

The wetting agent may include any or a combination comprising sulfosuccinates, naphthalene sulfonates, sulfated esters, phosphate esters, sulfated alcohol and alkyl benzene sulfonates, but not limited thereto.

The dispersing agent may include any or a combination comprising polycarboxylates, naphthalene sulfonate condensates, phenol sulfonic acid condensates, lignosulfonates, methyl oleyl taurates and polyvinyl alcohols, but not limited thereto.

In an embodiment, the surfactant includes an alkyl phenyl ether and a polyol.

In an embodiment, the present composition comprises at least one polyol and the polyol is selected from an acyclic polyol and a cyclic polyol.

Examples of such polyol compounds include sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar acids and uronic acids. Preferred polyols are sugars, sugar alcohols and sugar acids, including, but not limited to mannitol, glycerin, xylitol, and sorbitol.

In an embodiment, the surfactant includes an alkyl phenyl ether and ethylene glycol.

In an embodiment, the surfactant including an alkyl phenyl ether and a polyol comprises 1% to 20% w/v of the composition.

In an embodiment, the surfactant including an alkyl phenyl ether and a polyol comprises 5% to 15% w/v of the composition.

The anti-freezing agents may include any or a combination of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, urea, glycerin and anti-freeze proteins, but not limited thereto.

The fillers may include any or a combination of diatomaceous earth, kaolin, bentonite, precipitated silica, attapulgite, and perlite, but not limited thereto.

The advantageous agricultural compositions of the present disclosure can be formulated in any of formulations such as aqueous formulation, aerosol, emulsifiable concentrate, wettable powder, soluble concentrate, soluble powder, suspension concentrate, spray concentrate, capsule suspension, water dispersible granule, granules, dusts, microgranule seed treatment formulation and the likes as known to persons skilled in the art.

In an embodiment, the composition is formulated as liquid formulation.

In an embodiment, the composition is formulated as a non-aqueous solution.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition is formulated as an aqueous solution.

In an embodiment, the liquid agricultural composition comprises an agriculturally acceptable excipient including one or a combination of a surfactant, a preservative, a coloring agent, a pH adjusting agent, and a solvent.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a liquid agricultural composition comprising kasugamycin or a salt thereof; a plant resistance elicitor compound and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, said composition having weight ratio of kasugamycin to the plant resistance elicitor compound compound ranging from 1:1 to 1:30.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a liquid agricultural composition comprising kasugamycin or a salt thereof; laminarin and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, said composition having weight ratio of kasugamycin to laminarin ranging from 1:1 to 1:30.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a liquid agricultural composition comprising kasugamycin or a salt thereof; laminarin and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, said composition having weight ratio of kasugamycin to laminarin ranging from 1:1 to 1:10.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a liquid agricultural composition comprising kasugamycin or a salt thereof; laminarin and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, said composition having weight ratio of kasugamycin to laminarin ranging from 1:1 to 1:8.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a liquid agricultural composition comprising kasugamycin or a salt thereof; laminarin and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, said composition having weight ratio of kasugamycin to laminarin ranging from 1:1 to 1:5.

In an embodiment, the composition is formulated as an aqueous pre-mix formulation. In an embodiment, the surfactant includes alkyl phenyl ether and ethylene glycol. In an embodiment, the preservative includes potassium sorbate. In an embodiment, the solvent includes water. In an embodiment, the formulation has a pH ranging from 1.5 to 5.5.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an aqueous pre-mix agricultural formulation, said formulation comprising: kasugamycin or salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40% by weight of the composition; a plant resistance elicitor; and an agriculturally acceptable excipient, wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor is in the range of 1:10 to 10:1.

In an embodiment, the plant resistance elicitor is one or more of chemical elicitors selected from laminarin, salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, benzothiadiazole, benzoic acid and chitosan.

In a preferred embodiment, the plant resistance elicitor is laminarin.

In an embodiment, the formulation comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:5 to 5:1. In an embodiment, the formulation comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:2 to 2:1. In an embodiment, the formulation comprises kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:7.

In an embodiment, the formulation comprises, by weight of the formulation, kasugamycin or salt thereof in an amount ranging from 0.1% to 40%, laminarin in an amount ranging from 0.1%-50%, and an excipient in an amount ranging from 10% to 99%.

The agricultural benefit may be accrued by treating a seed, a plant, a plant part, a soil, or a combination thereof, with a composition or formulation of the present disclosure under conditions leading to association between the composition and the seed, plant, plant part, soil, or combinations thereof. Application of a formulation to a target can be accomplished using any delivery method known in the art including, but not limited to dusting, fumigation, granule application, injection, misting, seed treatment, spraying, dipping, or coating.

The combinations of the present disclosure provide an agricultural composition as a pre-mix composition or a kit of parts such that individual actives may be mixed before spraying. Alternatively, the kit of parts may contain the kasugamycin or a salt thereof or laminarin, pre-mixed and an optional third active may be admixed with an adjuvant or an agrochemical or a fertilizer compound such that the two components may be tank mixed before spraying.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a process for the preparation of the agricultural composition or combination comprising kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor in a weight ratio ranging from 1:1 to 1:10, wherein the said process comprises mixing kasugamycin or salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a kit-of-parts comprising an agricultural combination of kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and a plant resistance elicitor compound.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a kit-of-parts comprising an agricultural combination of kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and laminarin.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides the use of an agricultural composition for controlling phytopathogenic diseases comprising kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and laminarin; wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or the salt thereof and laminarin is from 1:1 to 1:30.

The method of the present disclosure may be used to control a broad spectrum of plant diseases.

Diseases of Japanese persimmon include anthracnose (Gloeosporium kaki), and leaf spot (Cercospora kaki, Mycosphaerella nawae).

Diseases of tomato include early blight (Alternaria solani), leaf mold (Cladosporium fulvum), and late blight (Phytophthora infestans).

Diseases of eggplant include brown spot (Phomopsis vexans), and powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum)

Diseases of onion include rust (Puccinia allii), and downy mildew (Peronospora destructor)

Diseases of kidney bean include anthracnose (Colletotrichum lindemthianum).

Diseases of peanut include leaf spot (Cercospora personata), brown leaf spot (Cercospora arachidicola) and southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii).

Diseases of garden pea include powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi), and root rot (Fusarium solanif. sp.pisi).

Diseases of strawberry include powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca humuli), and anthracnose (Glomerella cingulata).

Diseases of rose include black spot (Diplocarpon rosae), powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca pannosa), and downy mildew (Peronospora sparsa).

Diseases of chrysanthemum and asteraceous plants include downy mildew (Bremia lactucae), leaf blight (Septoria chrysanthemi-indici), and white rust (Puccinia horiana).

Disease of Japanese radish includeAlternarialeaf spot (Alternaria brassicicola).

Diseases of turfgrass include dollar spot (Sclerotinia homeocarpa), and brown patch and large patch (Rhizoctonia solani).

Disease of banana include black sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis), and yellow sigatoka (Mycosphaerella musicola).

Disease of sunflower include downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii).

Seed diseases or diseases in the early stages of the growth of various plants may be caused byAspergillusspp.,Penicilliumspp.,Fusariumspp.,Gibberellaspp.,Tricodermaspp.,Thielaviopsisspp.,Rhizopusspp.,Mucorspp.,Corticiumspp.,Phomaspp.,Rhizoctoniaspp. andDiplodiaspp.

Viral diseases of various plants may be mediated byPolymyxaspp. orOlpidiumspp. and so on.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling or inhibiting phytopathogens, comprising applying the compositions described herein to the said plant or plant part or plant propagation material or to the locus thereof.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling or inhibiting phytopathogens comprising applying at the locus of the infection by the phytopathogen or a plant or a plant part or a plant propagation material a composition comprising;(i) kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and(ii) a plant resistance elicitor compound;
wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or the salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor compound is from 1:1 to 1:30.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling or inhibiting phytopathogens comprising applying at the locus of the infection by the phytopathogen or a plant or a plant part or a plant propagation material a combination comprising;(i) kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and(ii) laminarin
wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or the salt thereof and laminarin is from 1:1 to 1:30.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling or inhibiting phytopathogens comprising applying at the locus of the infection by the phytopathogen or a plant or a plant part or a plant propagation material a combination comprising;(i) kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and(ii) laminarin
wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or the salt thereof and laminarin is from 1:1 to 1:20.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling or inhibiting phytopathogens comprising applying at the locus of the infection by the phytopathogen or a plant or a plant part or a plant propagation material a combination comprising;(i) kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and(ii) laminarin
wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or the salt thereof and laminarin is from 1:1 to 1:10.

In an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling phytopathogens comprising applying at the locus of the infection by the phytopathogen or to a plant or to a plant part or to a plant propagation material a liquid composition comprising;(i) kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and(ii) a plant resistance elicitor compound;
wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or a salt thereof and the plant resistance elicitor compound is ranging from 1:1 to 1:30, wherein the said method comprises applying the kasugamycin or the salt thereof at a dosage ranging from 2 to 5 g/kg of kasugamycin and laminarin at a dosage ranging from 10 to 20 g/kg.

In a preferred embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of controlling phytopathogens comprising applying at the locus of the infection by the phytopathogen or to a plant or to a plant part or to a plant propagation material a liquid composition comprising;(i) kasugamycin or a salt thereof, and(ii) laminarin;
wherein the weight ratio of kasugamycin or a salt thereof and laminarin is 1:1 to 1:10, wherein the said method comprises applying the kasugamycin or the salt thereof at a dosage ranging from 2 to 5 g/kg of kasugamycin and laminarin at a dosage ranging from 10 to 20 g/kg.

The composition of the present invention maybe applied simultaneously as a tank mix or a formulation or may be applied sequentially. The application may be made to the soil before emergence of the plants, either pre-planting or post-planting. The application may be made as a foliar spray at different timings during crop development, with either one or two applications early or late post-emergence.

The compositions according to the disclosure can be applied before or after infection of the useful plants or the propagation material thereof by fungi or bacteria or any other microbe.

The combination of kasugamycin with a plant resistance elicitor compound, more specifically laminarin greatly improved disease control, reduced occurrence of resistance in microbes as well as improved yield and demonstrated a synergistic effect.

While the foregoing description discloses various embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

EXAMPLES

Example 1—Pre-Mix Formulation

A pre-mix formulation having composition as shown in Table 1 below was prepared:

1000 litres of aqueous pre-mix formulation was prepared with the composition shown in Table 1 above. For preparation of the formulation, about 500 litres of water was taken in a mixing tank and Kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate was added thereto with stirring till the Kasugamycin hydrochloride hydrate was completely dissolved. Laminarin was added to the solution above along with an amount of water to make up the volume to 1000 litres. pH of the formulation was adjusted to about 3.5. The formulation was then filtered and filled in bottles.

Efficacy Studies

Example 2: Foliar Application of Kasugamycin and Plant Resistance Elicitor inAgave tequilana(var.Azul) for ControllingPectobacterium carotovorum

Agave tequilana(var.Azul) were foliar sprayed with formulations having Kasugamycin alone, plant resistance elicitor (laminarin) alone and Kasugamycin and laminarin.

Formulation 1 (Kasugamycin alone) was applied at a dosage of 1.5 l/ha.

Formulation 2 (laminarin alone) was applied at a dosage of 1.75 l/ha.

Formulation 3 (Kasugamycin and laminarin) was applied at a dosage of 1.5 l/ha of Kasugamycin and 1.75 l/ha of laminarin.

Two applications were made every 7 days when the first symptoms of the disease appeared, and the % control ofPectobacterium carotovorumwas determined.FIG.1provides a graph showing comparative activities of Kasugamycin alone, laminarin alone and combination of Kasugamycin and laminarin (indicated as “K+L” in the graph). As can be seen fromFIG.1, combination of Kasugamycin and laminarin afforded highest activity (% control overPectobacterium carotovorum).

Example 3: Foliar Application of Kasugamycin and Plant Resistance Elicitor in Onion (var. Carta Blanca) for controllingBurkholderia gladioli

Onion (var. Carta blanca) were foliar sprayed with formulations having Kasugamycin alone, plant resistance elicitor (laminarin) alone and Kasugamycin and laminarin.

Formulation 1 (Kasugamycin alone) was applied at a dosage of 1.5 l/ha.

Formulation 2 (laminarin alone) was applied at a dosage of 1.75 l/ha.

Formulation 3 (Kasugamycin and laminarin) was applied at a dosage of 1.5 l/ha of Kasugamycin and 1.75 l/ha of laminarin.

Two applications were made every 7 days when the first symptom of the disease appeared, and the percentage control ofBurkholderia gladiolipv.alliicolawas determined. The first evaluation was carried out seven days after the first application (indicated as 7DA1st in graph shown inFIG.2), and two more evaluations were made at 7 days and 14 days after the second application (indicated as 7DA2nd and 14DA2nd respectively in graph shown inFIG.2).FIG.2illustrates percentage control ofBurkholderia gladiolipv.alliicola. As can be seen fromFIG.2, the composition having Kasugamycin and laminarin afforded highest % control overBurkholderia gladiolipv.alliicolaas compared to Control (no treatment), Kasugamycin alone, and laminarin alone.

Example 4: In Vitro Control ofFusarium oxysporumUsing the Combination of Kasugamycin and Laminarin

A strain ofFusarium oxysporumisolated from potato was cultivated in a solid potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The efficacy of the mixture of kasugamycin and laminarin in a 1:1 ratio, and each component individually was tested.

The in vitro assessment of the products effectiveness was carried out as per the treatments discussed in Table 2. Accordingly, the components in each treatment were dissolved in the PDA culture medium at the dose indicated above. The mixture was homogenized and poured into sterile petri dishes. Explants of 5 mm diameter of the fungus strainFusarium oxysporumwere placed on the petri dishes with PDA. The dishes were incubated inverted, in dark conditions at a temperature of 28-30° C. The evaluation of the inhibition of the fungus was carried out 7 days later.

A frequently used method for improving the use profile of an agrochemical is the combination of an active compound with one or more other active compounds which contribute to the desired additional properties. However, when two or more active compounds are applied in combination, it is not uncommon for phenomena of physical and biological incompatibility to occur, for example insufficient stability of a joint formulation, decomposition of an active compound or antagonism of the active compounds. What is desired are, in contrast, active compound combinations having a favorable activity profile, high stability and, if possible, synergistically enhanced activity, thus permitting the application rate to be reduced, compared with the individual application of the active compounds to be combined.

Chemical mixtures can have an antagonistic effect when mixed, where the results are less than expected when the chemicals are combined. There can also be an additive effect, where the resultant mixture gives results expected from the sum of its components. Finally, there can be a synergistic effect where the results are greater than expected. A synergistic result is rare and typically only observed in results from high concentrations. In the heavily regulated agrochemical industry, high concentrations are not desirable in the environment. Therefore, when a synergistic effect is achieved at low doses, the resultant mixture is indeed a rare and unexpected finding.

A synergistic effect of an agrochemical is always present when the anti-phytopathogenic 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 according to S. R. Colby (“Calculating Synergistic and Antagonistic Responses of Herbicide Combinations”, Weeds 15, (1967), 20-22).

This effectiveness of all treatments as measured by percent reduction in theFusarium oxysporumgrowth, was also evaluated according to Colby's equation as below. If,X is the percent inhibition of growth by kasugamycin (A) at an application rate,Y is the percent inhibition of growth by a plant resistance elicitor, i.e. laminarin (B) at an application rate, andE is the expected growth as a percent of control with kasugamycin and the plant resistance elicitor when applying the active compounds, A and B at application rates

If the actual/observed anti-phytopathogenic efficacy of the kasugamycin and laminarin combination againstFusarium oxysporumexceeds the calculated value, then the activity of the combination is super additive, 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.

Control percentage ofFusarium oxysporumwith the kasugamycin laminarin mixture, as well as that of kasugamycin and laminarin separately are provided in Table 3 below:

TABLE 3Control percentage ofFusarium oxysporumDifference%%betweenOb-Ex-observed andservedpectedactual efficacyNo.Treatmentcontrolcontrolin percentageConclusionT0Untreated0——ControlT1Kasugamycin48——T2Laminarin11——T3Kasugamycin +5953.725.82SynergisticLaminarin
Based on the observations from table 3, the present kasugamycin and laminarin combination is synergistic in a ratio of 1:1 and showed exemplary control of the fungi. The correspondingFIG.3also showed almost complete control ofFusarium oxysporumusing the kasugamycin and laminarin treatment as per table 2.

Example 5: In Vitro Control ofAlternaria alternataUsing the Combination of Kasugamycin and Laminarin

A strain ofAlternaria alternataisolated from potato was cultivated in a solid potato dextrose agar (PDA) medium. The efficacy of the mixture of kasugamycin and laminarin in a 1:1 ratio, and each component individually was tested.

The in vitro assessment of the products effectiveness was carried out as per the treatments discussed in Table 4. Accordingly, the components in each treatment were dissolved in PDA culture medium at the dose indicated above. The mixture was homogenized and poured into sterile petri dishes. Explants of 5 mm diameter ofAlternaria alternatawere placed on the petri dishes with PDA. The dishes were incubated inverted in dark conditions at a temperature of 28-30° C. The evaluation of the inhibition of the fungus was carried out 7 days later.

The present inventors have calculated the Colby value of the synergistic combination as discussed in Example 4 above.

Control percentage ofAlternaria alternatawith the kasugamycin laminarin mixture, as well as of kasugamycin and laminarin separately are provided in Table 5 below:

TABLE 5Control percentage ofAlternaria alternataDifference%%betweenOb-Ex-observed andservedpectedactual efficacyNo.Treatmentcontrolcontrolin percentageConclusionT0Untreated0———ControlT1Kasugamycin54——T2Laminarin30—T3Kasugamycin +7167.83.2SynergisticLaminarin
Based on the observations from table 5, the present kasugamycin and laminarin combination is synergistic in a ratio of 1:1 and showed exemplary control of the fungi. The corresponding FIG.4also showed almost complete control ofFusarium oxysporumusing the kasugamycin and laminarin treatment as per table 4.

Based on the aforesaid studies, it could be concluded that the compositions including Kasugamycin or salt thereof and laminarin (plant resistance elicitor) exhibit wide spectrum of antibacterial and antifungal activities precluding development of resistance in phytopathogens and is synergistic. Further, it could be observed that the compositions aids in reducing phytotoxicity.

Advantages

The present disclosure provides a new and improved agricultural composition that may overcome the limitations associated with the conventional agricultural compositions.

The present disclosure provides an agricultural composition that exhibits broad spectrum antifungal and antibacterial properties.

The present disclosure provides an agricultural composition that exhibits desired antifungal and antibacterial effect at lower dosage.

The present disclosure provides an agricultural composition that aid in precluding development of resistance of phytopathogens towards Kasugamycin or salt thereof.

The present disclosure provides an agricultural composition that is safe to use.

The present disclosure provides an agricultural composition that is cost-effective.

The present disclosure provides an agricultural composition that is easy to prepare.