The invention relates a concentrated liquid fungicidal composition comprising a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or surface active agent and (a) at least one compound of formula I, ##STR1## (b) one or more additional fungicidal active ingredients, which exist as a suspension of fire particles; (c) a solubilizing agent; and (d) a dispersing agent, which has the capability to adsorb irreversibly on the surfaces of hydrophobic particles suspended in water or polar organic solvents.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a concentrated liquid fungicidal 
composition comprising a fungicidally acceptable carrier and 
(a) at least one azole derivative of formula I 
##STR2## 
in which 
R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each independently represent hydrogen atom or an 
optionally substituted alkyl alkenyl, alkynyl or alkadienyl group; 
R.sup.3 represents a halogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, 
alkenyl, alkynyl, alkadienyl, alkoxy or aryl group; and 
A represents a nitrogen atom or a CH group; 
or one of the salts or addition products thereof; which exists in dissolved 
form; and 
(b) one or more additional fungicidal active ingredients, which exist as a 
suspension of fine particles. 
The fungicidal compounds of formula I to be used according to the present 
invention are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,792. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,770 discloses concentrated fungicidal compositions 
comprising compounds of formula I and solubilizing agents and suggests the 
addition of different fungicidally active ingredients, including 
dithianon, fenpropimorph and chlorothalonil, to the tank mix of a compound 
of formula I to combat diseases caused by Erysiphe graminis fsp tritici. 
However, there have been no concentrated liquid co-formulations comprising 
a compound of formula I and a second fungicidal active ingredient. In the 
preparation of suitable co-formulations comprising a compound of formula 
I, a solubilizing agent and a second fungicidally active ingredient, the 
problem poses itself that, because of the interaction between the second 
active ingredient and the solubilizing agent used, a homogeneous or stable 
homogeneous formulation cannot be obtained. However, a combination of 
solubilized compound of formula I with finely dispersed particles of the 
second fungicidal active ingredient is essential in order to achieve the 
highest possible fungicidal activity of said preparation. 
Surprisingly, it has been found that a fungicidal composition which 
comprises a compound of formula I, a second fungicidally active 
ingredient, a polar organic solvent, a solubilizing agent, and a 
dispersing agent, which has the capability to adsorb irreversibly on the 
surfaces of hydrophobic particles suspended in water or polar organic 
solvents, forms a stable suspension of particles of the second 
fungicidally active ingredient in a solution of the compound of formula I 
in a liquid mixture of the other components. Further, it has been found 
that the physical states of the active ingredients are maintained even 
after these formulations are diluted in water, thus affording sprayable 
dilutions containing the solubilized compound of formula I and fine 
particles of the second active ingredient. 
Moreover, there is no suggestion in the prior art that such mixtures can 
advantageously be used for controlling cereal diseases such as Septoria 
spp.. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention concerns a concentrated liquid fungicidal composition 
comprising a fungicidally acceptable carrier and 
(a) at least one compound of formula I, or one of the salts or addition 
products thereof, which exists in solubilized form; 
(b) one or more additional fungicidally active ingredients, which exist as 
a suspension of fine particles; 
(c) a solubilizing agent; and 
(d) a dispersing agent, which has the capability to adsorb irreversibly on 
the surfaces of hydrophobic particles suspended in water or polar organic 
solvents. 
Another aspect of the present invention is a concentrated fungicidal 
composition comprising a fungicidally acceptable carrier and/or surface 
active agent and synergistically effective amounts of 
(a) at least one azole derivative of formula I as defined above; and 
(b) chlorothalonil. 
The present invention also includes a method for controlling 
phytopathogenic fungi which comprises the application of synergistically 
effective amounts of at least one compound of formula I and 
chlorothalonil. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Preferred azoles of formula I are those wherein 
A represents a nitrogen atom; 
R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent a C.sub.1-6 alkyl group, preferably a methyl 
group; and 
R.sup.3 is attached in the para-position and represents a fluoro or chloro 
atom or a C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl group. 
A particularly preferred compound for use in the present invention is 
metconazole, having the formula IA, 
##STR3## 
which is known from The Pesticide Manual, 10th Edition, The British Crop 
Protection Council and The Royal Society of Chemistry, 1994, (hereinbelow 
abbreviated as "Pesticide Manual"), page 669. 
The compound of formula I, due to the basic nature of the azole ring, is 
capable of forming salts or addition products with inorganic or organic 
acids or metal ions. Examples of inorganic acids which form salts are the 
hydrohalides such as hydrofluoric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic 
acid and hydroiodic acid, and additionally, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid 
and nitric acid. Suitable organic acids are those such as formic acid and 
alkanoic acids such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, trichloroacetic 
acid and propionic acid, and additionally, glycolic acid, lactic acid, 
succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, oxalic acid, 
alkylsulfonic acids, arylsulfonic acids, alkylphosponic acids, 
arylphosphonic acids, in which the alkyl and aryl moieties are optionally 
substituted, as for example para-toluenesulfonic acid, salicylic acid, 
para-phenoxybenzoic acid, 2-acetoxybenzoic acid or the like. 
The ions of the metals which represent soft Lewis acids suitable for 
forming addition products are preferably ions of chromium, manganese, 
iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, stannum 
and lead. 
However, the active ingredients of formula I and the second fungicidal 
active ingredient are preferably applied as such. 
The second fungicidal compound is, as a rule, a water immiscible organic, 
in particular, an aromatic solid compound, which has a melting point of at 
least 60.degree. C., preferably between 70 and 280.degree. C. 
The second fungicidal compound can be, for example, one which is capable of 
combating diseases of cereals (e.g., wheat) such as those caused by 
Erysiphe Puccinia, Septoria, Gibberella and Helminthosporium spp., seed 
and soil borne diseases and downy and powdery mildews on vines, early and 
late blight on solanaceous crops and vegetables, powdery mildew and scab 
on apples and brassica diseases etc. These mixtures of fungicides provide 
a broader spectrum of activity than the compound of general formula I 
alone. 
Examples of other fungicidal compounds which can be used in the 
compositions of the present invention are anilazine, azoxystrobin, 
benalaxyl, benomyl, binapacryl, bitertanol, blasticidin S, Bordeaux 
mixture, bromuconazole, bupirimate, captafol, captan, carbendazim, 
carboxin, carpropamid, chlorbenzthiazon, chlorothalonil, chlozolinate, 
copper-containing compounds, such as copper oxychloride, and copper 
sulfate, cycloheximide, cymoxanil, cypofuram, cyproconazole, cyprodinil, 
dichlofluanid, dichlone, dichloran, diclobutrazol, diclomezine, 
diethofencarb, difencconazole, dimethirimol, dimethomorph, diniconazole, 
dinocap, ditalimfos, dithianon, dodemorph, dodine, edifenphos, 
epoxiconazole, etaconazole, ethirimol, etridiazole, famoxadone, fenapanil, 
fenarimol, fenbuconazole, fenfuram, fenpiclonil, fenpropidin, 
fenpropimorph, fentin, fentin acetate, fentin hydroxide, ferimzone, 
fluazinam, fludioxonil, flumetover, fluquinconazole, flusilazole, 
flusulfamide, flutolanil, flutriafol, folpet, fosetyl-aluminium, 
fuberidazole, furalaxyl, furametpyr, guazatine, hexaconazole, imazalil, 
iminoctadine, ipconazole, iprodione, isoprothiolane, kasugamycin, kitazin 
P, kresoxim-methyl, mancozeb, maneb, mepanipyrim, mepronil, metalaxyl, 
methfuroxam, myclobutanil, neoasozin, nickel dimethyldithiocarbamate, 
nitrothalisopropyl, nuarimol, ofurace, organo mercury compounds, oxadixyl, 
oxycarboxin, penconazole, pencycuron, phenazineoxide, phthalide, polyoxin 
D, polyram, probenazole, prochloraz, procymidione, propamocarb, 
propiconazole, propineb, pyrazophos, pyrifenox, pyrimethanil, pyroquilon, 
pyroxyfur, quinomethionate, quinoxyfen, quintozene, spiroxamine, SSF-126, 
SSF-129, streptomycin, sulfur, tebuconazole, tecloftalame, tecnazene, 
tetraconazole, thiabendazole, thifluzamide, thiophanate-methyl, thiram, 
tolclofosmethyl, tolylfluanid, triadimefon, triadimenol, triazbutil, 
triazoxide, tricyclazole, tridemorph, triflumizole, triforine, 
triticonazole, validamycin A, vinclozolin, XRD-563, zarilamid, zineb, 
ziram, in particular chlorothalonil. 
Chlorothalonil is the common name of 
2,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1,3-benzenedicarbonitrile of formula, 
##STR4## 
which is described in "The Pesticide Manual", page 193. 
The in-tank mixtures of metconazole and chlorothalonil disclosed by U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,393,770 do not show synergistic effects. 
Surprisingly, a strong synergy between azoles of formula I and 
chlorothalonil in greenhouse trials is found when these compounds are 
co-formulated and when the activity of these co-formulations is compared 
with that of the commercial CARAMBA.RTM. 60 g/l SL metconazole formulation 
and with the activity of a commercial DACONIL.RTM. 500 g/l SC 
chlorothalonil formulation. The solo compounds and the co-formulated 
materials are applied in curative trials to wheat powdery mildew and in 
protective trials to control wheat Septoria spp. All applications are 
carried on a per hectare basis with a track sprayer so to simulate 
practical conditions. 
A mixture of fungicides shows synergistic effect if the fungicidal activity 
of the mixture is larger than the sum of activities of the separately 
applied compounds (See Colby, S. R., "Calculating synergistic and 
antagonistic response of herbicide combinations", Weeds 15, pp 20-22 
(1967)). 
If the actual efficacy (E) exceeds the expected (calculated) one (EE), the 
mixture displays a synergistic effect. 
The compositions of the present invention comprise compounds of formula I 
and chlorothalonil applied together, in synergistically effective amounts. 
When so applied, they exhibit an extraordinary efficacy against a broad 
range of phytopathogenic fungi, in particular against fungi from the 
classes Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Phycomycetes and Deuteromycetes. They 
are systemic and may be applied as leaf or soil fungicide. 
The mixture according to the invention may be preferably applied for 
controlling the following phytopathogenic fungal species of the genera: 
Alternaria, Botrytis, Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Erysiphe (Blumeria), 
Elsinoe, Fusarium, Gibberella, Guignardia, Helminthosporium, Hemileia, 
Monilinia, Mycosphaerella, Nectria, Phythium, Phytophthora, Plasmopara, 
Podosphaera, Pseudocercosporella, Pseudoperonospora, Puccinia, 
Pyrenophora, Pyricularia, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia, Sclerotium, Septoria, 
Sphaerotheca, Tilletia, Typhula, Uncinula, Uromyces, Ustilago, Venturia, 
Verticllium and others. 
The application rate of the compound of formula I according to this 
invention is usually in the range of 1 to 500 grams of active ingredient 
per hectare (g a.i./ha), with rates between 15 to 200 g a.i./ha often 
achieving satisfactory control. The optimal rate for a specific 
application will depend on the crop(s) under cultivation and the 
predominant species of infesting fungus, and may be readily determined by 
established biological tests known to those skilled in the art. 
In general, the preferred application rate of the second fungicidal active 
ingredient according to this invention, in particular, chlorothalonil, is 
in the range of 20 to 5,000 g a.i./ha, and preferably is 50 to 1500 g 
a.i./ha. 
The optimal rate for the second fungicidal compound, in particular, 
chlorothalonil, will, however, depend on the crop(s) under cultivation and 
the level of infestation by the fungus, and can readily be determined by 
established biological tests. 
The ratio (by weight) of the compound of formula I to the second fungicidal 
compound, in particular, chlorothalonil, is as a rule, from 1:200 to 2:1. 
The preferred ratio formula I: chlorothalonil may vary, e.g., from about 
1:100 to about 1:1, in particular from about 1:20 to about 1:5. 
The active compounds will be formulated together in a suitable ratio 
according to the present invention, together with usual carriers. 
The fungicidally acceptable carriers are liquid carriers, preferably water 
miscible or partially water miscible organic solvents or a mixture thereof 
with water. Mixtures of water miscible solvents and water are preferred. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight ratio of 
the water miscible solvent to water is in the range of from 1:5 to 5:1, 
preferably from 1:2 to 2:1, in particular from 1:1.25 to 1.25 to 1. 
Water-miscible or partially water-miscible organic solvents may be alcohols 
and glycols as well as their ethers and esters, e.g. ethanol, propanol, 
butanol, pentanol, benzylalcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 
ketones such as methylethylketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar 
solvents, preferably l-alkyl pyrrolidones such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 
N-n-octyl-2-pyrrolidone or N-cyclohexyl-2-pyrrolidone, or lactones such as 
.gamma.-butyrolactone, in particular propylene glycol. Mixtures of 
different water-miscible or partially water-miscible organic solvents are 
often suitable. 
The solubilizing agent is a surfactant preferably from the group of 
alkoxylates of aliphatic alcohols. A preferred alkoxylate of an aliphatic 
alcohol is based on alkoxy units having 2 carbon atoms, thus being a mixed 
ethoxylate or 2 and 3 carbon atoms, thus being a mixed 
ethoxylate/propoxylate. In a preferred aliphatic alcohol alkoxylate, the 
alkoxylate chain may have at least 5 alkoxy moieties, suitably from 5 to 
25 alkoxy moities, preferably 5 to 15, in particular 5 to 9. The alcohol 
moiety is, as a rule, derived from a C.sub.9-18 aliphatic alcohol. 
Preferred alcohols are at least 50% by weight at primary and at least 50% 
by weight straight chain alcohols and with at least 50% by weight having 
one hydroxy group. 
Particularly preferred solubilizing agents are those such as NEODOL.RTM. 
(formerly DOBANOL.RTM.) alcohol ethoxylates from Shell Chemical Co. Ltd. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight ratio of 
the solubilizing agent to the compound of formula I is in the range of 
from 5:1 to 20:1, preferably from 5:1 to 15:1. 
The dispersing agent, which has the capability to adsorb irreversibly on 
the surfaces of hydrophobic particles suspended in water or polar organic 
solvents, is preferably selected from the group of polymeric surfactants, 
preferably surface active acrylic graft copolymers (such as those sold 
under the tradename ATLOX.RTM.) or from the group of polymeric naphthalene 
sulfonates. Additional dispersing agents such as the potassium salts of 
polyaryl alkoxylate phosphate esters (sold under the tradename 
SOPROPHOR.RTM.) can also be utilized. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the weight ratio of the 
dispersing agent to the additional fungicidal active ingredient is in the 
range of from 1:50 to 1:300, preferably from 1:100 to 1:150. 
Preferred are liquid formulations, which comprise the following 
constituents: 
a water miscible organic solvent or a mixture of such a solvent with water; 
and 
an azole derivative of formula I, in particular metconazole; 
at least one second fungicidally active ingredient; in particular 
chlorothalonil, 
a solubilizing agent, e.g., an alkoxylate of an aliphatic alcohol being an 
ethoxylate or a mixed ethoxylate/propoxylate composed of 5 to 25 alkoxy 
moieties, in particular NEODOL.RTM. alcohol ethoxylates, (commercially 
available from Shell Chemical Co. Ltd.); and 
one or more dispersing agents, which have the capability to adsorb 
irreversibly on the surfaces of hydrophobic particles suspended in water 
or polar organic solvents, preferably selected from the group of surface 
active acrylic graft copolymers, such as ATLOX.RTM. 4913 (commercially 
available from ICI Surfactants), and polymeric naphthalene sulfonates, 
such as SUPRAGIL.RTM. MNS 90 (commercially available from Rhodia, formerly 
Rhone-Poulenc); and 
a foam breaking agent, in particular a mixture of perfluoroalkyphosphonic 
acids and/or perfluoroalkylphosphinic acids, in particular, Defoamer.RTM. 
SF or Fluowett.RTM. PL 80, (commercially available from Clariant GmbH). 
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the liquid co-formulation 
consists essentially of 
0.5 to 10%, preferably 1 to 7%, by weight of an azole derivative of formula 
I; 
15 to 60%, preferably 20 to 40%, by weight of at least one second 
fungicidally active ingredient; 
10 to 50%, preferably 15 to 35% by weight of a solubilizing agent, 
0.1 to 5%, preferably 0.2 to 2%, by weight of one or more dispersing 
agents, one of which has the capability to adsorb irreversibly on the 
surfaces of hydrophobic particles suspended in water or polar organic 
solvents, 
0.1 to 5%, preferably 0.5 to 2.5%, by weight a foam breaking agent; 
5 to 35%, preferably 15 to 30%, by weight of a water miscible or partially 
water miscible organic solvent or a mixture thereof with water; 
0.01 to 0.5% by weight of a preservative; and 
0.05 to 1%, in particular 0.1 to 0.6%, by weight of a structuring agent; 
and the sum of all ingredients in the composition is 100%. 
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mean particle size 
of the component (b), in particular, chlorothalonil, contained in the 
formulation is less than 3.0 .mu.m, preferably 1.3 to 2.7 .mu.m, in 
particular 1.5 to 2.5 .mu.m. Typically, such sizing is accomplished using 
conventional milling apparatus. 
The formulations of the present invention represent a stable suspension of 
particles of the second fungicidally active ingredient, in particular, 
chlorothalonil, in a solution of the compound of formula I, in particular, 
metconazole, in a liquid mixture of the other components. The 
sedimentation behavior of the formulations according to the present 
invention upon storage under practical condition is acceptable. The 
physical states of the active ingredients are maintained after these 
formulations are diluted in water, i.e., the resultant spray dilutions 
contain solubilized metconazole and fine particles of chlorothalonil 
without interfering phase separation. The combination of solubilized 
metconazole and finely dispersed particles of chlorothalonil is essential 
in order to achieve the highest possible fungicidal activity of said 
preparation. 
A method of preparing such a composition is also provided which comprises 
bringing a compound of formula I and a second fungicidal active 
ingredient, in particular, chlorothalonil, as defined above, into 
association with at least one carrier. It is also envisaged that different 
isomers or mixtures of isomers may have different levels or spectra of 
activity and thus compositions may comprise individual isomers or mixtures 
of isomers. 
A composition according to the invention preferably contains from 0.5% to 
95%, preferably 15% to 70%, in particular 25% to 50%, by weight (w/w) of 
the active ingredients. 
The carrier in a composition according to the invention is any material 
with which the active ingredient is formulated to facilitate application 
to the locus to be treated, which may, for example, be a plant, seed or 
soil, or to facilitate storage, transport or handling. The carrier may be 
a solid or a liquid, preferably a liquid, but may include material which 
is normally a gas but which has been compressed to form a liquid. 
The compositions may be manufactured into the liquid concentrates, by 
well-established procedures. These procedures include intensive mixing 
and/or milling of the active ingredients with other substances, such as 
solvents, surface active compounds (surfactants), and optionally solid 
and/or liquid auxiliaries and/or adjuvants. The form of application such 
as spraying, atomizing dispersing or pouring may be chosen like the 
compositions according to the desired objectives and the given 
circumstances. 
Pesticidal compositions are often formulated and transported in a 
concentrated form which is subsequently diluted by the user before 
application. The presence of small amounts of a carrier which is a 
surfactant facilitates this process of dilution. Thus, preferably at least 
one compound of the carrier in a composition according to the invention is 
a surfactant. For example, the composition may contain at two or more 
carriers, at least one of which is a surfactant. Surfactants may be 
nonionic, anionic, cationic or zwitterionic substances with good 
dispersing, emulsifying and wetting properties depending on the nature of 
the compound according to general formula I to be formulated. Surfactants 
may also be mixtures of individual surfactants. 
The compositions of the invention may also contain other additives such as 
defoamers, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, stabilizers, structuring 
agents, penetrants and stickers, and water or an organic liquid in which 
the active ingredient is substantially insoluble; certain organic solids 
or inorganic salts may be present dissolved in the formulation to assist 
in preventing sedimentation and crystalization or as antifreeze agents for 
water. Suitable preservatives include the antimicrobial sodium 
1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, sold under the tradename Proxel.RTM.. Suitable 
structuring agents are clays, such as the attapalgite clays sold under the 
Attagel.RTM. tradename. 
The biological activity of the active ingredient can also be increased by 
including an adjuvant in the spray dilution. An adjuvant is defined here 
as a substance which can increase the biological activity of an active 
ingredient but is not itself significantly biologically active. The 
adjuvant can either be included in the formulation as a coformulant or 
carrier, or can be added to the spray tank together with the formulation 
containing the active ingredient. 
As a commodity the compositions may preferably be in a concentrated form 
whereas the end user generally employs diluted compositions. The 
compositions may be diluted to a concentration down to 0.001% of active 
ingredient. The doses usually are in the range from 0.01 to 10 kg a.i./ha. 
Examples of formulations according to the invention are: 
Formulation A 
______________________________________ 
Component Function Concentration 
______________________________________ 
Metconazole Active Ingredient 
30 g/l 
Chlorothalonil Active Ingredient 
375 g/l 
Atlox .RTM. 4913.sup.1) 
Dispersing Agent 
3 g/l 
NEODOL .RTM. 91-6.sup.2) 
Solubilizer 300 g/l 
Soprophor .RTM. FLK.sup.3) 
Dispersing Agent 
12 g/l 
Defoamer .RTM. SF.sup.4) 
Defoamer 20 g/l 
Proxel .RTM. GXL.sup.5) 
Preservative 
0.5 g/l 
Attagel .RTM. 50.sup.6) 
Structuring Agent 
2 g/l 
Propylene glycol 
Solvent 120 g/l 
Water Continuous Phase 
to 1 l 
______________________________________ 
Formulation A is prepared by dissolving metconazole in propylene glycol and 
Neodol 91-6 (pre-mix I), mixing together the other ingredients with a high 
shear mixer (pre-mix II) and mixing together pre-mix I and pre-mix II. 
Formulation B 
______________________________________ 
Component Function Concentration 
______________________________________ 
Metconazole Active Ingredient 
30 g/l 
Chlorothalonil Active Ingredient 
375 g/l 
Atlox .RTM. 4913.sup.1) 
Dispersing Agent 
3 g/l 
NEODOL .RTM. 91-6.sup.2) 
Solubilizer 300 g/l 
Soprophor .RTM. FLK.sup.3) 
Dispersing Agent 
12 g/l 
Defoamer .RTM. SF.sup.4) 
Defoamer 30 g/l 
Proxel .RTM. GXL.sup.5) 
Preservative 
0.5 g/l 
Attagel .RTM. 50.sup.6) 
Structuring Agent 
5 g/l 
Propylene glycol 
Solvent 120 g/l 
Water Continuous Phase 
to 1 l 
______________________________________ 
Formulation B is prepared by dissolving metconazole in propylene glycol and 
Neodol 91-6 (pre-mix I), mixing together the other ingredients with a high 
shear mixer, subsequently reducing the particle size of chlorothalonil by 
bead milling to a mean particle size of 1.5-2.5 .mu.m (pre-mix II) and 
mixing together pre-mix I and pre-mix II. 
Formulation C 
______________________________________ 
Component Function Concentration 
______________________________________ 
Metconazole Active Ingredient 
30 g/l 
Chlorothalonil Active Ingredient 
375 g/l 
Supragil .RTM. MNS 90.sup.3) 
Dispersing Agent 
10 g/l 
NEODOL .RTM. 91-6.sup.2) 
Solubilizer 300 g/l 
Defoamer .RTM. SF.sup.4) 
Defoamer 20 g/l 
Proxel .RTM. GXL.sup.5) 
Preservative 
0.5 g/l 
Attagel .RTM. 50.sup.6) 
Structuring Agent 
2 g/l 
Propylene glycol 
Solvent 120 g/l 
Water Continuous Phase 
to 1 l 
______________________________________ 
Formulation C is prepared as Formulation A. 
The components of the formulations A, B and C are available from the 
following sources: 
1) available from ICI Surfactants 
2) available from Shell Chemical CO., Ltd. 
3) available from Rhodia 
4) available from Clariant GmbH 
5) available from Zeneca 
6) available from Engelhard Corp. 
The phase separation of the formulations A and B has been examined as 
follows: 
The formulation have been stored 8 weeks at different temperatures or at a 
temperature cycle between 0 and 35.degree. C. (0/35), respectively. The 
supernatant liquid (s.I.) has been assessed visually, and reported as a 
volume percentage. The sediment (sed.) has been assessed by the careful 
introduction of a glass rod into the container and found to be moderate 
(mo) or in traces (tr) only. The results of this assessment is given in 
the following table I. 
TABLE I 
______________________________________ 
Phase separation 
Storage Temperature (.degree. C.) 
Formulation 20 28 37 0/35 
______________________________________ 
A s.l. 25% 29% 38% 27% 
B s.l. 6% 11% 15% 13% 
A sed. m m m m 
B sed. tr tr tr tr 
______________________________________ 
As commodity the compositions according to the present invention are in a 
concentrated form whereas the end-user generally employs diluted 
compositions. The compositions may be diluted to a concentration of 0.001% 
of active ingredients. 
The following examples illustrate specific embodiments of the present 
invention; however, the invention is not limited to the embodiments so 
illustrated, but includes the entire scope of the appended claims.