Fungicidal compositions

Abstract: The fungicidal activity of an anilinopyrimidine fungicide of formula I where R is methyl, cyclopropyl or 1-propynyl, is enhanced by the addition of piperonyl butoxide.

Description: Field of the invention This invention relates to new fungicidal compositions. Various anilinopyrimidines are used as agricultural fungicide useful for controlling a number of crop diseases, and especially fungal diseases of cereals. Thus, EP-A-0310550 discloses 2-anilino-pyrimidine derivatives which have fungicidal activity. In Chemical Abstract, vol. 90, no. 7, 1979, abstract no. 49461, it is disclosed the synergistic effect of piperonyl butoxide on the fungicidal activity of two organophosphorus compounds. In Chemical Abstreact, vol. 105, no. 1, 1986, abstract no. 2105, piperonyl butoxide is disclosed as inhibitor of the fungitoxicity of iprodione. We have now found that piperonyl butoxide, which is known as an insecticide synergist but has never been used in fungicidal formulations with anilinopyrimidines, can enhance the activity of certain anilinopyrimidines. The invention thus provides a mixture which comprises a) an anilinopyrimidine fungicide of formula I where R is methyl, cyclopropyl or 1-propynyl, and b) piperonyl butoxide. The compounds of formula I are known fungicides and have the common names pyrimethanil, when R is methyl, cyprodinil, when R is cyclopropyl and mepanipyrim when R is 1-propynyl. The invention also includes fungicidal compositions which comprise the mixture together with agricuturally acceptable diluents. The ratio of a) to piperonyl butoxide can vary over a wide range, but it is generally within the range 5:1 to 1:5, preferably 3:1 to 1:1. The compositions of the invention are active against a wide range of fungi, e.g. powdery mildew ( Erysiphe graminis ) on cereal crops such as wheat, barley, oats and rye and other cereal diseases such as net blotch ( Pyrenophora teres ), leaf blotch ( Rhynchosporium secalis ) and eyespot ( Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides ). The compositions are also useful in combating, e.g. Botrytis cinerea, Leptosphaeria nodorum, Septoria tritici, Venturia inaequalis and Altenaria spp. on fruit and vegetables. The compositions of the invention may be employed in many forms and are often most conveniently prepared in aqueous form immediately prior to use. One method of preparing such a composition is referred to as "tank mixing" in which the ingredients in their commercially available form are mixed together by the user in a quantity of water. In addition to tank mixing immediately prior to use, the compositions containing the mixture may be formulated into a more concentrated primary composition which is diluted with water or other diluent before use. Such compositions may comprise a surface active agent in addition to the active ingredients and examples of such compositions are as follows. It can be a dispersible solution which comprises the active ingredients dissolved in a water-miscible solvent with the addition of a dispersing agent. Alternatively it can comprise the ingredients in the form of a finely ground powder in association with a dispersing agent and intimately mixed with water to give a paste or cream which can if desired be added to an emulsion of oil in water to give a dispersion of active ingredients in an aqueous oil emulsion. The invention is illustrated in the following examples, in which PBO is piperonyl butoxide Example 1 Winter wheat was sprayed with cyprodinil, PBO and mixtures of the two. Thirty three days after application the winter wheat was assessed for levels of Leptosphaeria nodorum compared with untreated cereal, whereby the level of control could be calculated. Results (average of 4 replicates) are shown below. Component Application rate (g ai / ha) % control cyprodinil 600 23.1 PBO 300 0.0 cyprodinil + PBO 600 + 300 64.1 Example 2 In a similar experiment levels of Erysiphe graminis infection were determined after 30 days. Results (average of 4 replicates) are shown below. Component Application rate (g ai / ha) % control cyprodinil 600 34.4 PBO 300 0.0 cyprodinil + PBO 600 + 300 65.5 Example 3 In a similar experiment, levels of Leptosphaeria nodorum and Septoria tritici mixed infection were assessed 23 days after application. Results (average of 4 replicates) are shown below. Component Application rate (g ai / ha) % control cyprodinil 600 0.0 PBO 300 0.0 cyprodinil + PBO 600 + 300 69.2 Example 4 In a similar experiment levels of Elysiphe graminis infection were determined after 14 days. Results (average of 3 replicates) are shown below. Component Application rate (g ai/ha) % control cyprodinil 150 35 cyprodinil 300 67 cyprodinil 600 98 PBO 300 0.0 cyprodinil + PBO 150 + 300 75 cyprodinil + PBO 300 + 300 92 cyprodinil + PBO 600 + 300 100

Claims: A mixture which comprises a) an anilinopyrimidine fungicide of formula I where R is methyl, cyclopropyl or 1-propynyl, and b) piperonyl butoxide. A mixture according to claim 1, in which a) is cyprodinil.

Inventors: HAGEMEISTER HEINZ, MILLING RICHARD JOHN, HAGEMEISTER, HEINZ, MILLING, RICHARD JOHN
Applicants: AVENTIS CROPSCIENCE UK LTD, AVENTIS CROPSCIENCE UK LIMITED
Application year: 1997
Main classification: A01N43
IPC codes: A01N43